Space Shuttle and the International Space Station to Pass Over the Region
Two opportunities to view the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station flying in tandem will occur this evening and again tomorrow evening (Aug 19 and 20). The Space shuttle has undocked from the ISS and is expected to return to Earth Tuesday. In the meantime, both will be easily visible as they continue to orbit the Earth. To the unaided eye, they will appear as two bright points of light moving across the sky. The events will be visible from the entire region, weather permitting, though the actual track of both ships across the sky will be slightly different depending on viewing location.
Tonight’s (Aug 19th) appearance will begin at about 8:37 PM in the northwest sky. Both ships will reach their highest point in the sky from our viewpoint at about 8:39 + 30 seconds. At that time they will be in the northeast part of the sky about halfway up (approx. 45 degrees elevation). The Space shuttle will be the front point of light with the ISS trailing by about 6 seconds. They will then continue until they disappear low in the east-southeast sky at about 8:42 PM.
A second viewing opportunity will occur Monday evening. This time they will initially appear low in the west-northwest sky at about 8:59 PM. From there they will climb to a maximum elevation of about 55 degrees in the southwest part of the sky at about 9:02 PM. This time the shuttle will be about 21 seconds ahead of the ISS, thus the 2 ships will be further apart. They will progress into the southern part of the sky until they disappear into Earth’s shadow at about 9:03 plus 30 seconds, at about 25 degrees elevation above the horizon.
It appears weather conditions will be favorable for viewing both events as clouds should be limited, if not clear.
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Tonight’s (Aug 19th) appearance will begin at about 8:37 PM in the northwest sky. Both ships will reach their highest point in the sky from our viewpoint at about 8:39 + 30 seconds. At that time they will be in the northeast part of the sky about halfway up (approx. 45 degrees elevation). The Space shuttle will be the front point of light with the ISS trailing by about 6 seconds. They will then continue until they disappear low in the east-southeast sky at about 8:42 PM.
A second viewing opportunity will occur Monday evening. This time they will initially appear low in the west-northwest sky at about 8:59 PM. From there they will climb to a maximum elevation of about 55 degrees in the southwest part of the sky at about 9:02 PM. This time the shuttle will be about 21 seconds ahead of the ISS, thus the 2 ships will be further apart. They will progress into the southern part of the sky until they disappear into Earth’s shadow at about 9:03 plus 30 seconds, at about 25 degrees elevation above the horizon.
It appears weather conditions will be favorable for viewing both events as clouds should be limited, if not clear.
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