Friday, November 14, 2008

Space Shuttle Endeavour And The ISS ::

Endeavour flew just about 15 minutes ago and should rendezvous with the International Space Station on Sunday. There are a couple of good viewing opportunities next week for the Columbia area, which includes Camden:

Wednesday, Nov. 19 @ 5:46pm
The ISS and Endeavour should be visible for 5 minutes at
a maximum elevation of 26 degrees above the horizon
approaching from 11 degrees above the south and departing
to 11 degrees above the East North East horizon.


I don't know how dark it is at 5:46pm in Camden and Columbia, but the combination of the ISS and Endeavour should be very bright in the sky. Look for a bright light traveling rapidly (17,500mph at about 230 miles above the Earth). It's best to be in an area relatively dark although I have stood in a Wal-Mart parking lot, with its lights, and I have seen the ISS by itself pass by.

On Thursday, November 20, the sighting opportunity should be even better:


Thursday, November 20 at 6:13pm
Endeavour and the ISS should be visible for 3 minutes at
a maximum elevation of 60 degrees above the horizon
approaching from 40 degrees from the West South West and departing to 18 degrees above the North East horizon.



This means that the linked ISS and orbiter Endeavour should pass almost directly overhead in Columbia and Camden.

The viewing schedule for other areas can be found here.

I sometimes work with one of the astronauts, Don Pettit, who is flying this mission. Don has been an astronaut since 1996 and has spent 5 1/2 months aboard the ISS. He is a fascinating person (PhD in chemical engineering) and I look forward to his input from this trip.

No comments: