ISS over melbourne last night? 30/7

Nikolas (Nik) · #1 31-07-2013, 09:45 AM

Around 6.30ish last night a very very bright object was moving south west to Northeast over Melbourne.
Was this the ISS?

asimov (John) · #2 31-07-2013, 10:15 AM

Certainly was. I saw it here in Bundaberg Qld as well.

Nikolas (Nik) · #3 31-07-2013, 10:23 AM

Excellent, pity I was pulling up in the driveway and didn't have time to get the binocs out, it was almost as bright as jupiter

polardan · #4 31-07-2013, 11:10 AM

Yes it would have been - it was scheduled to come overhead at 1828. Was going to take the kids outside as I usually do when it's above mag -2, but it clouded out.

I think it was going to be around mag -2.2 iirc.

naskies (Dave) · #5 31-07-2013, 11:21 AM

There's another bright pass tonight (Wed 31st).

Nikolas (Nik) · #6 31-07-2013, 11:27 AM

Just found this
http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSum...&alt=0&tz=AEST

polardan · #7 31-07-2013, 02:39 PM

Yep - that's what I use.

naskies (Dave) · #8 31-07-2013, 04:20 PM

Ahh, looks like tonight's pass isn't visible in Melbourne (but is in Brisbane).

mozzie (Peter) · #9 31-07-2013, 05:19 PM

have a -3.2 pass in 20 odd minutes,light cloud should be good !!!

AndyTee (Andy) · #10 31-07-2013, 05:26 PM

There's a free app for Android phones (so I assume also for Iphones) called ISS Detector which lists all ISS passes, filtered for location and magnitude with optional warning alarms etc. Iridium Flares get a mention also.

There's another handy app called PrediSat which gleans info from HeavensAbove, again filtered for location.

As a bit of a satelite junkie, I reckon they are both worth having ....

EDIT: Honest to God I just posted that and my phone jingles a warning for Iridium 37 at -5.1 mag at 17.31 LOL

EDIT EDIT - 15 degrees elevation! No chance from here!

naskies (Dave) · #11 31-07-2013, 05:56 PM

NASA's Spot the Station alert service is great too. It sends out an email the morning of a bright pass, e.g. this dropped into my inbox at 6 am:

Quote:

Time: Wed Jul 31 5:43 PM, Visible: 6 min, Max Height: 40 degrees, Appears: SSW, Disappears: ENE

Very simple and user friendly even for non-astro nerds

Nikolas (Nik) · #12 31-07-2013, 06:11 PM

bleagh it's clouded over anyway here.

mozzie (Peter) · #13 31-07-2013, 06:56 PM

great pass and the kids enjoyed it..
have a look at the sputnik app.