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RichardP
07-28-2009, 02:58 PM
<nerd alert>

For those in the Houston area, there will be a unique opportunity to see the Space Shuttle, the Space Station, and a Russian Progress fly over head tonight (7/28/09). It should look like three stars (with the station being the brightest) moving across the sky just past sun down.

-------------------------------------------
Following the predicted undock of STS-127 from the station today, if the sky is clear tonight, we in Houston should be able to see STS-127, followed by the station and the Russian Progress 34P, flying in a line nearly vertically overhead from northwest to southeast beginning at 9:12 p.m. through 9:18 p.m. Each spacecraft will fade into Earth's shadow at an elevation of 26 degrees.
Path: 33 degrees above NW to 24 degrees above SE
Maximum elevation: 78 degrees

The International Space Station Trajectory Operations Group (TOPO) provides updates via JSC Today for visible station passes at least two minutes in duration and 25 degrees in elevation. Other opportunities, including those with shorter durations and lower elevations or from other ground locations, are available at the Web site below.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_States&region=Texas&city=Johnson_Space_Center
-----------------------------------

Richard P.

mitchntx
07-28-2009, 03:01 PM
A year or so ago seeing the space station happened.

While it sounds boring, it was actually quite fascinating.

Will we in the DFW area be able to see it if the skies clear up?

RichardP
07-28-2009, 03:09 PM
Will we in the DFW area be able to see it if the skies clear up?


Other opportunities, including those from other ground locations, are available at the Web site below.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_States&region=Texas&city=Dallas

:D

Dallas:
ISS Tue Jul 28/09:15 PM 3 minutes 60 40 above WNW 15 above SSE
SHUTTLE Tue Jul 28/09:15 PM 3 minutes 60 41 above WNW 14 above SSE

Not quite as good for viewing but still visible...


Richard P.

mitchntx
07-28-2009, 03:22 PM
Actually yes ...

*** Granbury ***

ISS Tue Jul 28/09:15 PM 3min 73* 42* above WNW 16* above SE
SHUTTLE T ue Jul 28/09:15 PM 3min 74* 44* above WNW 14* above SE

Rob Liebbe
07-28-2009, 03:50 PM
Thanks Richard.

MikeP99Z
07-28-2009, 09:21 PM
Saw them, very cool. Thanks for the heads up. :D

mitchntx
07-28-2009, 09:22 PM
Thanks for the heads up, Richard.

We had a small "watch" party out in our front drive.

Didn't get to see the Russian ship because of the cloud cover.

jeffburch
07-28-2009, 09:23 PM
Neato.
Much more north to south and higher.

Jb

rpoz27
07-28-2009, 09:30 PM
Very cool! Thanks!

RichardP
07-28-2009, 09:37 PM
Didn't get to see the Russian ship because of the cloud cover.


Yea, the Progress was lagging behind a good 6 or so minutes. It was also very dim. Because of that, it's visible duration was much less. You would have had to been very lucky to catch that.

The shuttle and station were very bright tonight, though.


Richard P.

Rsmith350
07-28-2009, 10:05 PM
Saw it too!!! Thanks for the heads up. That was neat!

Todd Covini
07-29-2009, 09:30 PM
Once again...a dollar short and a day late..... :roll:

RichardP
09-01-2009, 09:21 AM
Several people mentioned to me that they wanted to see the Shuttle and the Station fly over but missed it. Here is your chance again. The shuttle and station are docked so you will only see one bright object rather than the two. You also have to get your lazy ass out of bed because this sighting is just before sunrise rather than just after sunset.

Houston:
Thursday, September 3, 6:31 a.m. (Duration: five minutes)
Path: 11 degrees above NW to 11 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 60 degrees

Dallas:
Thursday, September 3, 6:30 a.m. (Duration: five minutes)
Path: 10 degrees above WNW to 11 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 46 degrees

Other opportunities, including those with shorter durations and lower elevations, or from other ground locations, are available at the website below.
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/region.cgi?country=United_States&region=Texas

Richard P.

mitchntx
09-01-2009, 09:42 AM
You also have to get your lazy ass out of bed

Thursday, September 3, 6:30 a.m. (Duration: five minutes)

Richard P.

sleeping in till 0630? Slackers ... ;)

Thanks for the update Richard.

cjlmlml
09-01-2009, 10:36 AM
Other opportunities, including those with shorter durations and lower elevations, or from other ground locations, are available at the website below.
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/region.cgi?country=United_States&region=Texas

Richard P.



Adam?

RichardP
11-25-2009, 11:28 AM
Another viewing opportunity this holiday weekend. Great if you have relatives in town...

Viewers in the Houston area will be able to see good passes of the International Space Station Friday and Saturday evenings. If Shuttle hasn't landed, it will appear shortly after ISS on the same path:

Friday, Nov. 27, 6:03 p.m. (Duration: five minutes)
Path: 11 degrees above NNW to 12 degrees above ESE
Maximum elevation: 42 degrees

Saturday, Nov. 28, 6:25 p.m. (Duration: five minutes)
Path: 10 degrees above WNW to 11 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 33 degrees


For Dallas, there is a good viewing on Friday evening…

Fri Nov 27/06:02 PM (Duration: five minutes)
Path: 11 degrees above NW to 11 degrees above SE
Maximum elevation: 60 degrees

Other viewing opportunities available here:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/skywatch.cgi?country=United+States


Richard P.

donovan
11-25-2009, 11:30 PM
Sweet! Austin has some good viewing this time too!!

DD

mitchntx
11-29-2009, 08:07 PM
Stood outside Saturday night ans watched the shuttle. Amazing.

Found this on Youtube ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwd31L2IP34

Rob Liebbe
11-29-2009, 09:22 PM
Thanks Richard,

We watched the Shuttle and Station on Friday evening and the Station on Saturday evening from Lake Texoma. Very cool.

Was that the last Shuttle flight or when is that scheduled?

marshall_mosty
11-29-2009, 09:45 PM
Saw an orange "star" on Friday night going across the Austin skyline (even though it was partly cloudy). Very cool.

RichardP
11-29-2009, 10:26 PM
Was that the last Shuttle flight or when is that scheduled?

Five left. Next one in early Feb.


Richard P.

RichardP
08-12-2010, 01:11 PM
Deeper into nerd territory...


http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/05aug_perseids/


You know it's a good night when a beautiful alignment of planets is the second best thing that's going to happen.
Thursday, August 12th, is such a night.

The show begins at sundown when Venus, Saturn, Mars and the crescent Moon pop out of the western twilight in tight conjunction. All four heavenly objects will fit within a circle about 10 degrees in diameter, beaming together through the dusky colors of sunset. No telescope is required to enjoy this naked-eye event.

The planets will hang together in the western sky until 10 pm or so. When they leave, following the sun below the horizon, you should stay, because that is when the Perseid meteor shower begins. From 10 pm until dawn, meteors will flit across the starry sky in a display that's even more exciting than a planetary get-together.

The Perseid meteor shower is caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle. Every 133 years the huge comet swings through the inner solar system and leaves behind a trail of dust and gravel. When Earth passes through the debris, specks of comet-stuff hit the atmosphere at 140,000 mph and disintegrate in flashes of light. These meteors are called Perseids because they fly out of the constellation Perseus.
Swift-Tuttle's debris zone is so wide, Earth spends weeks inside it. Indeed, we are in the outskirts now, and sky watchers are already reporting a trickle of late-night Perseids. The trickle could turn into a torrent between August 11th and 13th when Earth passes through the heart of the debris trail.

2010 is a good year for Perseids because the Moon won't be up during the midnight-to-dawn hours of greatest activity. Lunar glare can wipe out a good meteor shower, but that won't be the case this time.
As Perseus rises and the night deepens, meteor rates will increase. For sheer numbers, the best time to look is during the darkest hours before dawn on Friday morning, Aug. 13th, when most observers will see dozens of Perseids per hour.

Looking northeast around midnight on August 12th-13th. The red dot is the Perseid radiant. Although Perseid meteors can appear in any part of the sky, all of their tails will point back to the radiant.

For best results, get away from city lights. The darkness of the countryside multiplies the visible meteor rate 3- to 10-fold. A good dark sky will even improve the planetary alignment, allowing faint Mars and Saturn to make their full contribution to the display. Many families plan camping trips to coincide with the Perseids. The Milky Way arching over a mountain campground provides the perfect backdrop for a meteor shower.



Richard P.

ShadowBolt
08-12-2010, 02:37 PM
Thanks Richard!


JJ

donovan
08-12-2010, 03:37 PM
Very Cool. Thanks!!

DD

RichardP
07-01-2011, 11:04 AM
For those who want to nerd out in front of their family and friends, there will be an opportunity to see the International Space Station a few times this weekend including Monday evening when everyone will be outdoors staring at the sky anyway.


Houston viewings:

Saturday, July 2, 9:29 p.m. (Duration: 4 minutes)
Path: 13 degrees above NNW to 18 degress above E
Maximum elevation: 26 degrees

Sunday, July 3, 10:08 p.m. (Duration: 2 minutes)
Path: 21 degrees above WNW to 43 degress above SW
Maximum elevation: 43 degrees

Monday, July 4, 9:11 p.m. (Duration: 4 minutes)
Path: 30 degrees above NNW to 16 degress above SE
Maximum elevation: 61 degrees


The Dallas Monday night viewing is even a little better:

Monday, July 4, 9:11 p.m. (Duration: 4 minutes)
Path: 37 degrees above NW to 12 degress above SE
Maximum elevation: 80 degrees


For those not in Houston or Dallas, here is a web site that will help you figure out the viewing opportunities in your area:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/skywatch.cgi?country=United+States

For help in interpreting the above numbers, try here:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/help.html


Richard P.

MPHoldway
07-01-2011, 11:28 AM
I'm so nerdy I have set phone alarms to tell me what time and where to look for the ISS. Thanks Richard!

MikeP99Z
07-02-2011, 09:40 PM
Awesome per usual, thanks Richard!

AllZWay
07-04-2011, 08:00 AM
We were camped and caught last nights fly by.

marshall_mosty
07-04-2011, 09:15 PM
Just saw the ISS flyover... VERY COOL!!

AllZWay
07-05-2011, 07:41 AM
We caught it again last night.

ShadowBolt
07-05-2011, 08:13 AM
We caught it again last night.

I caught it last night for almost a full 5 minutes. Very cool!


JJ

JasonLiiR
07-05-2011, 08:36 AM
I caught a glimpse of it in Conroe last night. It was pretty cool to watch airplane lights pass underneath it. I had to use the airplane to point out to someone where it was cause they just couldn't figure out where I was pointing.

marshall_mosty
07-05-2011, 09:50 AM
I was suprised how bright it was. We were looking in the general area and all of a sudden, there was a bright white "star" slowing tracking across the sky. Too bad my kiddos weren't there, but they have an opportunity tonight in Lubbock (staying with Grandma and Grandpa).

RichardP
09-16-2012, 05:05 PM
For those in Houston, there is an opportunity to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour on Tuesday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate to allow this to happen...

---------------------------------
As you may have heard, during its cross country trip to its permanent home in Los Angeles, the Space Shuttle Endeavour will stop at Ellington Field (WEATHER PERMITTING).

There will be flyovers of both Bush and Hobby airports, downtown Houston, the Ship Channel and San Jacinto monument, Galveston, JSC and Ellington. Thirty minutes after arriving at Ellington on Tuesday, September 18, the public may view the vehicle (from 100 feet away) through 7 p.m. Endeavour is scheduled to depart Ellington at 7 a.m., Wednesday, September 19.

Employees and the general public may park at Ellington to witness the landing, view the shuttle or watch the take-off. Exhibits at the Hangar 990 viewing area will include the Driven to Explore mobile exhibit and inflatable shuttle, a joint Orion/ISS banner, a Starport tent, with some additional participants pending.

The stopover is contingent upon weather conditions and event planning must remain flexible. Inclement weather at KSC, along the flight path or the Houston area can delay, change or cancel stopover plans.

Stay tuned to this website for updates regarding Endeavour's stop in Houston:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/endeavour_visit.html

NASA also will provide updates on Endeavour's cross-country flight via social media using the hashtags #SpotTheShuttle and #OV105. You can follow who sees Endeavour, and post your sighting, in real time at: http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23spottheshuttle
------------------------------------

Richard P.

RichardP
09-17-2012, 07:19 PM
If you are interested in the Shuttle viewing, keep checking for updates. For now, the Tuesday viewing is canceled due to weather.

Richard P.

RichardP
09-18-2012, 09:55 PM
Viewing back on for Wednesday:


After evaluating the weather, managers are planning a Space Shuttle Endeavour Houston stopover on Wednesday, Sept. 19, weather permitting, with departure for California on Thursday, Sept. 20. Stay tuned to this website for updates regarding Endeavour's stop in Houston:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/endeavour_visit.html

Endeavour will be available for public viewing Sept. 19 until 9 p.m. Endeavour will depart Ellington at sunrise Sept. 20 to continue on its way to Los Angeles for permanent display.

On Wednesday, the SCA/Endeavour combo is planned to fly approximately 1,500 feet above various areas of Houston, Clear Lake and Galveston - including JSC -- between about 9 and 10:30 a.m. as it arrives in Houston from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Endeavour's Landing at Ellington is set for about 10:45 a.m. The specific route and timing of Endeavour's flight will depend on weather and operational constraints.

NASA also will provide updates on Endeavour's cross-country flight via social media using the hashtags #SpotTheShuttle and #OV105. You can follow who sees Endeavour, and post your sighting, in real time at: http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23spottheshuttle

After landing at Ellington, Endeavour will come to a stop near the NASA Hangar 990 pedestrian gate. The public will be able to view the aircraft and Endeavour from as close as 100 feet away starting about 30 minutes after it is parked. Public viewing will continue until 9 p.m. Wednesday. Endeavour's departure from Ellington is planned for about sunrise on Thursday, Sept. 20.


Richard P.

RichardP
09-19-2012, 03:29 PM
Last chance ever to see a space shuttle in Houston...

The first shot I took just out the front door of my office this morning. The second shot is what you can see until 9:00 pm tonight at Ellington AFB.


Richard P.

AllZWay
09-19-2012, 04:28 PM
End of an era... way cool Richard.

Storm Trooper
09-20-2012, 07:36 AM
I saw it at Hobby it did a low slow fly by AWESOME!!!!!!

RichardP
10-30-2012, 09:30 PM
While you are outside on Halloween evening taking your kids around for Trick or Treats, there is an opportunity to see the International Space Station fly overhead. There is also a slightly better viewing on Thursday.


For those in Houston:
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 7:55 p.m. (Duration: 5 minutes)
Path: 10 degrees above NW to 21 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 46 degrees

Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:05 p.m. (Duration: 6 minutes)
Path: 11 degrees above NW to 10 degrees above SE
Maximum elevation: 75 degrees



Dallas:
ISS Wed Oct 31/07:56 PM 4 38 28 above W 13 above SSE
ISS Thu Nov 01/07:04 PM 6 84 10 above NW 11 above SE


Austin:
ISS Wed Oct 31/07:54 PM 5 60 10 above NW 19 above SSE
ISS Thu Nov 01/07:05 PM 6 59 11 above NW 10 above SE



Viewing tips to translate that cryptic data into something useful:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/help.html



For those that don't live in the big cities, here is data for other Texas cities:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/region.cgi?country=United_States&region=Texas



Richard P.

smitty328
10-30-2012, 10:26 PM
Thanks Richard!

RichardP
11-05-2012, 04:07 PM
I've been rendered obsolete. You can now sign up to receive an e-mail or text a couple of hours before the times when the space station will be viewable flying over your head. Sign up here: http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/index.cfm



Richard P.

AllZWay
11-05-2012, 06:02 PM
I've been rendered obsolete. You can now sign up to receive an e-mail or text a couple of hours before the times when the space station will be viewable flying over your head. Sign up here: http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/index.cfm



Richard P.

Cool... I signed up.

RichardP
03-01-2013, 01:06 PM
SpaceX launched a space station resupply ship this morning. It is supposed to dock with the space station sometime this weekend. There is an opportunity to watch the SpaceX Dragon capsule chase the space station across the evening sky tonight.

Houston:
International Space Station
Friday, March 1, 6:45 p.m. (Duration: 6 minutes)
Path: 10 degrees above NW to 11 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 62 degrees

Dragon
Friday, March 1, 6:45 p.m. (Duration: 6 minutes)
Path: 10 degrees above NW to 10 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 60 degrees

Austin:
ISS Fri Mar 01/06:48 PM 2 78 49 above SSE 11 above SE
DRAGON Fri Mar 01/06:48 PM 3 75 74 above S 10 above SE

Dallas:
ISS Fri Mar 01/06:46 PM 4 49 43 above W 10 above SSE
DRAGON Fri Mar 01/06:47 PM 3 48 43 above WSW 12 above SSE



Viewing tips to translate that cryptic data into something useful:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...ings/help.html



For those that don't live in the big cities, here is data for other Texas cities:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...s&region=Texas


Richard P.

ShadowBolt
03-01-2013, 04:52 PM
SpaceX launched a space station resupply ship this morning. It is supposed to dock with the space station sometime this weekend. There is an opportunity to watch the SpaceX Dragon capsule chase the space station across the evening sky tonight.

Houston:
International Space Station
Friday, March 1, 6:45 p.m. (Duration: 6 minutes)
Path: 10 degrees above NW to 11 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 62 degrees

Dragon
Friday, March 1, 6:45 p.m. (Duration: 6 minutes)
Path: 10 degrees above NW to 10 degrees above SSE
Maximum elevation: 60 degrees

Austin:
ISS Fri Mar 01/06:48 PM 2 78 49 above SSE 11 above SE
DRAGON Fri Mar 01/06:48 PM 3 75 74 above S 10 above SE

Dallas:
ISS Fri Mar 01/06:46 PM 4 49 43 above W 10 above SSE
DRAGON Fri Mar 01/06:47 PM 3 48 43 above WSW 12 above SSE



Viewing tips to translate that cryptic data into something useful:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...ings/help.html



For those that don't live in the big cities, here is data for other Texas cities:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata...s®ion=Texas


Richard P.

Help link is no good Richard. I want to watch but need to know where to look.

JJ

RichardP
03-01-2013, 05:20 PM
Help link is no good Richard. I want to watch but need to know where to look.

JJ

Sorry about that. The link in post #40 still works...

Richard P

ShadowBolt
03-01-2013, 05:24 PM
Does not look like it will happen today.


http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/03/01/spacex-rocket-poised-for-flight/

JJ

RichardP
03-01-2013, 05:46 PM
Does not look like it will happen today.


http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/03/01/spacex-rocket-poised-for-flight/

JJ

The flyover of the station and the Dragon will still happen. The data for the Dragon viewing might be a bit off...

Richard P

Rob Liebbe
03-02-2013, 12:39 PM
We saw the station fly over and wondered why there was only one object visible.

Thanks for the info Richard and Jerry. We will watch the automated info for the next opportunity. It is neat to see one object but much more dramatic when there are two flying in close proximity. We saw the Shuttle chasing ISS a while back, very cool.