Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Demolitiondaley on 27/02/2017 09:50:56

Title: What is the visibility of the ISS like on a clear night?
Post by: Demolitiondaley on 27/02/2017 09:50:56

I saw what appeared to be a very bright star in the sky last night which slowly drifted from left to right quite low in the western sky (I live in North West of England). I could only assume it was the ISS, has anybody seen anything similar or does anybody think that what I'm describing was likely the ISS?

Title: Re: What is the visibility of the ISS like on a clear night?
Post by: Colin2B on 27/02/2017 12:56:57

If you are near Manchester, say, it would be SE tracking R to L.
Should be able to see it over the next week, Tues looks really good:
http://iss.astroviewer.net/observation.php?lon=-2.2426305000000184&lat=53.4807593&name=Manchester

Title: Re: What is the visibility of the ISS like on a clear night?
Post by: Demolitiondaley on 27/02/2017 13:34:43

This was definitely moving left to right, it was about 1.5X the brightest star I've ever seen. Filmed it and when I zoomed in 4Xdigital zoom it looked  circular. Watched it for a good half hour and it drifted very slowly, it could of been a satellite I suppose but I didn't think a satellite would be that bright. I'll keep my eyes out for the ISS next week and see how it compares. Thanks Colin.

Title: Re: What is the visibility of the ISS like on a clear night?
Post by: syhprum on 27/02/2017 14:51:07

http://www.space.com/29889-space-station-crosses-moon-photo.html

The diameter of the moon is about 30 minutes so the apparent size of ISS would be about one minute at the limit of naked eye resolution.
ISS would only be visible for a few minutes and moving rapidly I think it was Venus you were watching, and it would appear to move from left to right due to the rotation of the Earth

Title: Re: What is the visibility of the ISS like on a clear night?
Post by: Demolitiondaley on 27/02/2017 16:35:36

Quote from: syhprum on 27/02/2017 14:51:07

The diameter of the moon is about 30 minutes so the apparent size of ISS would be about one minute at the limit of naked eye resolution.
ISS would only be visible for a few minutes and moving rapidly I think it was Venus you were watching, and it would appear to move from left to right due to the rotation of the Earth

Thanks for that Syhprum that makes sense, it's the first time time I've seen anything like it. I wish I'd had a telescope, it was just a fluke me seeing it. I should make more of an effort really.

Title: Re: What is the visibility of the ISS like on a clear night?
Post by: Janus on 27/02/2017 16:43:09

You can also check out
http://www.heavens-above.com/ (http://www.heavens-above.com/)
It not only gives the ISS location, but also that for other satellites

Title: Re: What is the visibility of the ISS like on a clear night?
Post by: timey on 27/02/2017 17:19:58

There is an app you can get for your phone that when you point your phone in any direction in the sky, will give you the name and current position of what you are looking at.
I think (scratches head, as I am not in possession of this app) that you can also point your phone at the ground, and the app will give you the names and current positions of anything in the sky that is on the other side of the planet as well.