International Space Station passes overhead...

[churchmouse]

Yes it does, to put it in your terms...that would be a .52 second lap at Indy.....and it's a new track record.....

It is amazing. 250 up. Here and gone in minutes.

 

[littletommy]

Last time we watched it fly over, it came from northwest, and it was a little later in the evening I believe, anyhoo, it disappeared into the earths shadow about 45* above the horizon, THAT was cool, it went from very bright to quickly dimmer, then gone in probably 15-20 seconds.

 

[GregD]

I got out in the country alittle bet . . . it was a great show!

 

[churchmouse]

I got out in the country alittle bet . . . it was a great show!

And a short one. Damn that thing is hauling.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Yep. Whether you call it 17,000 MPH or 4.75Miles/sec its crazy fast.

Even crazier? Technically it is falling as fast as it is moving forward. Let that sink in; It is in a perpetual freefall. (but the earth is moving out of the way as fast as it is falling)

 

[churchmouse]

Yep. Whether you call it 17,000 MPH or 4.75Miles/sec its crazy fast.

Even crazier? Technically it is falling as fast as it is moving forward. Let that sink in; It is in a perpetual freefall. (but the earth is moving out of the way as fast as it is falling)

Interesting.........very interesting.

 

[alabasterjar]

Spouse and I just sat out back and waited on it to show up.
It did and man was that thing moving.

The kids & I watched it this evening, too. Perfect night for it. I'm not sure who was more excited, me or the kids!

 

[CHCRandy]

I read an article earlier talking about how the ISS use to orbit at 220 miles above us, then they raised it to 248 miles I think it was.....and they said just raising it to that orbit saved like 70% on fuel needed for thrust.

A couple questions to ponder.......How far can the human eye see? How can we see that thing when it is 250 miles away? Question 2...why is that thing so bright? Does it have lights or is there another reason?

Very cool to see though......and I didnt see any of them flaming balls tonight.

 

[cordex]

A couple questions to ponder.......How far can the human eye see? How can we see that thing when it is 250 miles away? Question 2...why is that thing so bright? Does it have lights or is there another reason?

1. Quite a few light years at least.
2. Reflected sunlight.

 

[churchmouse]

1. Quite a few light years at least.
2. Reflected sunlight.

Winner. Just like the moon that has no illumination of it's own the sun lights it up from below the horizon.
If it is bright enough we will see it.

 

[GunSlinger]

What a show tonight. Just perfect sky conditions. Even with not so good binoculars you could see the solar panel "wings". Elton John's 'Rocket Man' was playing in my mind.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Winner. Just like the moon that has no illumination of it's own the sun lights it up from below the horizon.
If it is bright enough we will see it.

And it is worth noting it does fly over our heads many times when it does not appear on the watch list. Because it is in the shade of the earth and the sun wont reflect light for us to see. So it sneaks overhead and we cant see it.

 

[4651feeder]

ISS will pass over northern IN tonight @ 21:49 with Soyuz docked or docking if I heard correctly.

 

[eric001]

Think I'll pass on this one. Went out earlier this week to watch it go SW-NE* and enjoyed it immensely! However, I was a forgetful if not downright stupid individual and forgot that a) our area is swarming with mosquitoes and b) they ALL seem to think I'm the best skeeter bait in town.

Still scratching and itching. Sigh.

Next time I'm swimming in OFF before going out.

 

[4651feeder]

Just as well, I didn't have my time correct anyways

 

[Bigtanker]

We got to see it tonight. Although I didn't know what it was until afterwards. I was able to get a video of it because it was so bright.

You can sign up for notifications from NASA when it will be in your area.

https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/signup.cfm

Sighting schedule for Indy area.

https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sig...region=Indiana&city=Indianapolis#.XZwIe2kpAwA

 

[Spike Jones 5 2002]

I have seen all kinds of meteorites.
Some just like a flash going off.
Some like a long light blue streak.
Some like a long blue streak and a flash.
Some a short streak and big red flash, Just like a fireworks rocket.
Enjoyed every one.

 

[ghitch75]

just watched it go over.....

 

[Spike Jones 5 2002]

No enjoy the beauty of the whole view.

 

[cbhausen]

I was down at the Checkered Flag Tavern at Washington and Morris in Indy when I got pinged by my iPhone (running Sky Guide) about tonight’s flyover. Went outside and saw most all of it. One of the better ones I’ve seen lately I wish I remembered to get my binoculars which were stowed in the car not 20 feet away.