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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 14 September 16 23:28 BST (UK)

Title: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 14 September 16 23:28 BST (UK)
If we're lucky enough to have a clear night tonight, we should be able to catch it - if we look in the right place.  It's going to be appearing early enough to warrant getting the kids out for a bit of Space Station spotting.  Where and which way to look is the problem, it's a big sky out there! 

I've never seen it before so don't know how big or bright it will be, nor if it flashes, but I'll be out there looking.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/84280910/international-space-station-to-pass-over-new-zealand
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: GLC on Wednesday 14 September 16 23:48 BST (UK)
Thanks for the heads up jabelnz.
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 14 September 16 23:52 BST (UK)
You're very welcome GLC! 😄
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 15 September 16 00:56 BST (UK)
If what I was looking at a couple of yrs ago in Scotland was a Space Station, it just looked like a bigger star than the rest  ???

Annie
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: goldie61 on Thursday 15 September 16 01:35 BST (UK)
Coming from the south west to the north east evidently.
Between 7.25pm and 7.30pm
If it keeps raining like this it will be a damp squid! ;)
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: Erato on Thursday 15 September 16 01:52 BST (UK)
It's almost exactly 59 years since Sputnik was launched.  I remember going out in the yard with my Dad to see it pass over.
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 15 September 16 01:59 BST (UK)
Coming from the south west to the north east evidently.
Between 7.25pm and 7.30pm
If it keeps raining like this it will be a damp squid! ;)

👎 Well, I don't know where you are, but it's a perfect day in Wellington!  If we get rain or cloud later, we get rain or cloud later and won't see it will we, it's not rocket science!  I won't ask for my money back!
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: firefly74 on Thursday 15 September 16 07:40 BST (UK)
If you don't spot it due to clouds, you can use this website to find out when it's next viewable, which is quite often actually.

http://iss.astroviewer.net/observation.php

It looks like a large bright star that slowly moves across the sky.
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 15 September 16 08:49 BST (UK)
Thanks firefly - but I didn't see a thing!  After a beautiful clear day, it clouded right over.

I'll check out your link, and make a note for next time!  :)

Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: firefly74 on Thursday 15 September 16 09:57 BST (UK)
 :) We couldn't see it either - total cloud cover.
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: maddys52 on Thursday 15 September 16 10:31 BST (UK)
I often look out for the ISS - have seen it quite a few times, sometimes better than others. I use the NASA website to let me know when it's best in position for me to view in Sydney. If you use this link you can type in what country and city to see when it's next flying overhead! the higher the "maximum height" generally the better view for me.  ;D, but it probably depends on your particular surroundings.
https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/index.cfm
Title: Re: International Space Station to Fly Over NZ Tonight!
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 15 September 16 10:38 BST (UK)
Maybe next time then! Fingers crossed.  ;)