[AZ-Observing] Re: ISS and Hubble passes

A great heads up! I'm currently reviewing "Satellite Tracker" v2.4.7c and
have been testing the interface to my Nexstar controller. I just loaded
today's TLE data and set it for Tuesday night to check the passes. This
should be a great field test. One of the pluses I like so far is that the
software not only has exhaustive, continuously updated data about the pass
selected but gives you ground tracks and a "Sky map" view of the pass so you
can see where an object should be against the current constellations. Pretty
neat. I had it run a calculation of all the available visible satellite /
Booster / other objects for that night starting at 1800 hrs through 2000 hrs
and there will be a total of 39 visible objects passing over with an
elevation of 20 deg. or higher.  So looks like a busy little night. If the
software tracks the scope smoothly it might be a keeper ($20)

Jimmy Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Randy Peterson
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 11:52 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [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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