[AZ-Observing] ISS and Hubble passes

Next Tuesday, January 17, there will be a good pass over the metro Phoenix area 
(and a good deal of Arizona) by the International Space Station.  At about 6:25 
pm MST, face north, and look to the northwest.  It is bright enough that you 
don't need optical aid, being brighter than Mars.  At about 6:28 pm it will 
pass roughly overhead.  It will be fading into the southeast horizon a bit 
after 6:30 pm.  Yep, a bit over 5 minutes from horizon to horizon, so if you 
don't set a timer to remind you to go outside to look, you'll miss it.
Hold on - the show's not over yet!  About eleven minutes later that same night, 
at about 6:41 pm MST, face south, and look to the west-southwest.  Bright 
enough to be seen naked eye (but considerably dimmer than the ISS) will be the 
Hubble Space Telescope, shining a bit dimmer than Polaris.  At 6:45 pm, it will 
pass due south at about 42 degrees altitude from the Phoenix area - about half 
way from the southern horizon to your zenith (straight up).  At 6:48 pm, it 
will fade into the east-southeast horizon.

Check it out at Heavens Above: http://www.heavens-above.com/

I have watched these with binoculars in the past on occasion, but just watching 
with my unaided eye seems more satisfying to me.  Clear skies!

Randy Peterson
EVAC Events co-coordinator
events@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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