Since I had not checked it out for weeks, I logged on to the NASA Human Space Flight website and discovered I had approximately 10 minutes to set up for a pass of the International Space Station (ISS). The schedule had the ISS for June 18 2013 appearing at 2309hrs, 81 degrees, approaching from 16 above NW and departing 36 above NW for a total observation time of about 1 minute.
After locating the tripod and camera I decided to try several single 4 second exposures because experience had taught me attempting to merely videotape the speck of light would be unsatisfactory. (Leaving the shutter open for an extended exposure creates a better “light trail” of the object making it easier to see.)
Just as I had anticipated, there were 6 images of a short straight line of light (with darkness in between as the ISS moved across the sky while the camera processed the image and the shutter was closed) passing by the bottom of the Big Dipper. The ISS entered my field of vision coming from the direction of Modesto and departed towards Mariposa with the entire process taking under a minute. I snapped another 4 second exposure as soon as the camera had processed the one before. (Sure wish I could find out if it is possible to increase the exposure time or if the equipment is factory set at 4 second exposures.)
ANYWAY, here’s the ISS that passed over tonight along with a couple of photos of the KOI fry that are beginning to show color despite their small size.
ISS 01
ISS 02
ISS 03
ISS 04
ISS 05
ISS 06
Oh yeah, the LDPCSD water board meeting yesterday went very well despite a three director attendance.
My best to you and yours, Lew
PS: Here’s the link to that NASA website: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/skywatch.cgi?country=United+States
