Seeing the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Atlantis Fly In Formation

On Wednesday evening, June 20, 2007, I was able to see the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station flying in formation.

I took the following 20 second exposure photo with a Canon Rebel digital camera. You can double click the image for a larger view of the photo. The rooftop you see is of my home.

The Space Shuttle had previously separated from the ISS in preparation for a return to earth. The International Space Station appeared over the somewhat cloudy horizon first, followed by the Atlantis just a wee bit less than 5 degrees behind. The ISS was brighter than the Atlantis.

The ISS appeard 15 degrees over the horizon, 330 degrees NW azimuth.at 22:54:05 local time (Eastern Time). It appeared to be a magnitude 0 or brighter.

The STS 117 appeared at the same location, just seconds later, following 5 degrees or slightly less behind the ISS. The STS 117 appearance as at 22:54:15.

The two flew in formation, both visible at the same time, moving upward above the NNW skies, between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

The disappearance into the earth’s shadow was 40 degrees altitude, 345 degrees NNW azimuth. The ISS disappeared first, at 22:55:55, followed by the disappearance of the STS 117 at 22:56:00.

Location of Observer Lawrenceville GA USA
Latitude 33.953052 (use decimal degrees only)
Longitude -83.992469 (use decimal degrees only, east is negative)
Elevation 1031 feet
Instrument Used: Unaided Eye, Canon Rebel digital camera

Element Set Satellite

ISS 1 25544U 98067A 07171.12363426 .00005766 00000-0 36804-4 0 42892 25544 51.6360 88.7334 0007500 341.6186 231.2152 15.78168180491237

STS 117 1 31600U 07024A 07171.04015913 .00011996 00000-0 72294-4 0 2342 31600 51.6352 89.1604 0006674 341.5415 116.7271 15.78174410 1765

Date of Element Set Used: 2007 June 21, 2007

I used http://www.heavens-above.com/main.aspx to help predict the event. Took 3 20 second photos.

Below is a report for the Astronomical League. Double click image for a larger view of the report.

Comet McNaught Over Atlanta

Comet McNaught (officially designated C/2006 P1) has been described as an unusually bright comet, but I found it challenging to locate. I've tried and failed three times to find it this week.

Tonight I went to Stone Mountain, where there is a great, unhindered horizon.

To find the comet, it might help to consider the following:

1. McNaught is not a naked-eye comet until after you located it.
2. Use binoculars or a very low power to locate the comet.
3. The viewing window is very brief. With sunset a little after 5:30, I did not find the comet until 6:12 PM. It disappeared at 6:30 PM.
4. A clear horizon not only means no trees -- it also means no haze or clouds.

The photo above was my best shot, and was taken at 6:18 PM.

In the photo below, you can see the progress of the comet, from 6:18 PM ET (or 18:18), until 18:29. The tick marks show the location of the comet at 6:18, 6:21, 6:23 and 6:29.

I met a fellow hiker on the trail, and he had no trouble at all finding it. All I did was point out a particular building, which was serving as a "pointer" to the comet. He was able to see the nucleus and the tail.

The comet was 16 degrees to the right of Venus, and a mere 2 or 3 degrees above the horizon.

Comet McNaught was discovered by Australian astronomer Robert McNaught on August 7, 2006. The comet has been described as the brightest in 30 years. It will sweep to within 15.8 million miles, less than half the distance of Mercury from the sun.

If you go to Stone Mountain and can't find the comet -- at least you can enjoy the sunset.