Heavens-Above (star charts, satellites, etc)

[RichardM]

Another satellite tracking resource based on zip code:

I wonder if one of the "shooting stars" was the tool kit.

Nope, the tool kit is still in orbit - there's a nice website that will tell you when to look for interesting things in orbit -

http://www.spaceweather.com/flybys/index.php

When I input my zip code (north central San Antonio), it tells me I can see the tool kit (ISS toolbag) on Dec 18 and 20, though because of the light pollution I'll need binoculars.

FYI, Big Bend's zip code is 79834

[Lorax]

Thanks!  These are great resources.  They work even in the North East.

Ted

[RichardM]

Assuming the weather cooperates, there should be some good viewing opps around the state. The shuttle is due to undock this afternoon so you should be able to spot both shuttle and ISS tonight. Also, there is a Progress vehicle up there that might be visible as well. Check the ISS Pass Info post for links to various viewing locations. Once you've brought up the ISS viewing page, you can click on the "Home" link at the top to see links for the shuttle (STS-127) and anything else that might be visible.

[RichardM]

Here's the 15 second view of the shuttle followed by the ISS from my light-polluted, skeeter-infested, suburban Houston backyard. I decided to forgo shooting on a delay (which may or may not have helped minimize camera shake due to my cheap wobbly tripod) since I was in a hurry getting set up. No luck on spotting Progress, but then I never did find data on when it was going over.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

Here's my attempt. Thanks for giving us the heads-up on this occurrence, Richard.

[Terlingua50337]

You can get Iridium Flare viewing times/coordiates too. Heavens-Above is on my favorites list.

[RichardM]

You can get Iridium Flare viewing times/coordiates too. Heavens-Above is on my favorites list.

Ayup, flares are covered in this topic

[RichardM]

Ok, here's some generic links to ISS pass info. If the magnitude is less than zero, then the space station should be pretty easy to spot, weather permitting. If it's above zero you might have to squint a bit. If your town isn't listed, go find your coordinates and swap them out from one of the URLs below. The loc variable doesn't do anything except put a label on the page. Note also that all of these are for Central Standard Time (I think it auto-corrects for Daylight Saving Time).

Chisos Basin
Canyon Lake
Austin
Corpus Christi
Piedras Negras
Houston
San Antonio
Dallas
Victoria
Beaumont
Nacogdoches
Lufkin
Minneapolis
Alpine
Ft. Davis (McDonald Observatory)
Guadalupe Peak
Kingfisher, OK
Bryan/College Station
The Woodlands
Carlsbad, NM
Huntsville, AL
Dimmitt, TX
Kuwait
Linden, VA
Nixa, MO
Sauceda Ranch House, BBRSP
Grangeville, ID
Americus, GA
Graham, NC

For most of the state there should be some good ISS viewing opps the next few nights. For example, check out tomorrow's pass over Big Bend

The skeeters in our neighborhood have been too ravenous lately, so I doubt I'll try to get any pics.

[homerboy2u]

You do not know how many times i have tried to schedule getting out in my porch and and look for the ISS. However each time i want to go out,for some reason i am laying in my bed dead tired,i open my eyes then close them, then i open my eyes then i close them once again, then it is morning. In a blink of an eye. I do not even rest enough as it is......

 My wife kicked out my girls after they were running ,yelling and wrestling in my bed...with the T.V. on. Never noticed it.

 I still have hope in crossing the ISS,sometime soon.

[badknees]

Saw it pass tonight. Nice and bright, but lots of skeeters. Friday night looks good for a high elevation pass.

Also Venus, Mars and Saturn are aligning near the moon at about the same time