ISS & STS-118

Earlier this evening I observed the International Space Station (ISS) and the Space Shuttle Endeavour mission STS-118 travelling together. The shuttle had undocked from the space station at 7:56 a.m. EDT (11:56 UTC). I checked visible passes from my location on heavens-above.com and found that both spacecraft were to pass from NNW to ENE with a maximum altitude of 24 deg within seconds of each other starting at 21:01:48 (19:01:48 UTC).

I went out minutes before the predicted pass and on cue the two craft appeared together below the pointer stars in Ursa Major. They travelled together, the slightly fainter shuttle in front. As they passed some eleven degrees below Polaris, I estimated the distance between them at just over one degree. They both disappeared after they passed through the centre of Cassiopeia.

I found this sighting fascinating especially when one considers the two crews manning the spacecraft. I hope that the crew on STS-118 has a safe return and that the much publicized gash in the heat shield does not create any problems.

Perseids & More

Last night the Perseid Meteor shower was at its maximum. I went to the local astronomical society's activity at the Northernmost tip of the island in one of the darkest areas available in the densely populated island.

I took my 16x70 binoculars to do some observing from the dark site. The plan was to do as many Messiers as possible and to observe the planet Neptune which I had not yet seen this year.

As usual this event was well attended which meant that there were many cars with headlights and people milling around with torchlights. To avoid this I found the darkest lonely spot and swept the sky. The atmosphere was quite clear and the Milky Way especially to the North and the zenith was clear and showing its structure.

I started off in Sagittarius and viewed the M8, M29, M23, M22, M24, M17 and further up in Serpens, the M16. I Scorpius I viewed the M7, M6, M4 and M80 (not 100% certain). Further up in Scutum I observed the M11. In Ophiuchus I saw the M10 and M12 globulars. To the West I found the M3 in Canes Venatici and almost overhead the bright M13 in Hercules. Then it was off to the East with the M15 in Pegasus, the M27 Dumbbell in Vulpecula and the Coathanger Cr399. Galaxies were more difficult. I observed the M31 although it was still low and the spiral arms could be discerned, and I think I caught the ghostly shape of the M51.

The main target was Neptune (mag 7.8) I had prepared a chart since at 16x magnification it wouldn't have looked any different from a star. The planet lies in Capricornus and can be found starhopping from delta Cap. Above this star lies 45 Cap and to the West of this lies Star HD205829. Neptune is in line with these two stars at approximately the same distance. The planet was plainly visible in binoculars and even had a faint blue tinge (I hope the colour was not my imagination playing tricks on me).

In between observing with binoculars, I stared fixedly at the Cygnus/Lyra area keeping a watch for meteors. I saw two very bright ones appearing from the Perseid radiant and two satellites on polar orbit. Actually I was lucky to find another satellite accidentally while looking through the binoculars.

After I left the site, I continued observing from my home and saw another bright meteor but this was not a Perseid since it appeared in Cepheus down towards Camelopardalis. It could have been an Alpha Cygnid, Alpha Capricornid or a Delta Aquarid.

A sweep with the 16X70

The air was clearer tonight and with the Moon out of the way I swept the sky with my 16x70 binoculars. Notwithstanding the mild light pollution, there were many DSOs which were easily visible. I started off with Sagittarius and M8, M20, M22, M23, M24, M17 and up to Serpens for M16. Through to Scorpius, M7 and M6 provided a wonderful sight then on to Antares to find the M4 and further West the M80. On to the Northern side, Cassiopeia showed up the M103 and further down was the Perseus double cluster.

I hope that conditions tomorrow will remain favourable for the Perseid meteor shower maximum.