What did i just see

[Phil]

Just outside and approaching from the NW was a really bright object.
6.05pm. and very high no sound looked like a sat. Does any one no what
this was. It disappeared in the low SE corner. Was able to see it from horizon
to horizon.
Phil

[Matty P (Matt)]

It was probably the ISS. I'm pretty sure that there was a bright passing at your area at that time.

Have a look here,
http://www.heavens-above.com/

[Phil]

Yep looks like it. Man it was the brightest i have ever seen it.
Wish i had the camera out.
Phil

[AlexN]

Yea, it was the IIS, I was peering up trying to find mars at the time, spotted it through 7x10 bino's Looked really nice, great night for it.

[Matty P (Matt)]

I just checked the Heavens Above website. You had a very bright -2 mag passing.

I will never get tired of watching a bright ISS passing.

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

I saw this pass from Toowong in Brisbane. I'd never seen ISS before. It was similar in brightness to Jupiter. Passed almost directly overhead from my location.

I just knew it was the ISS when I saw it and a quick check on Heavens Above confirmed this.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Sometimes here in Tas I've seen the ISS flare in much the same way as the Iridium satellites do, it doesn't happen all that often, usually when the ISS pass starts in the south west but when it does it brightens for a few seconds by several magnitudes.

[AlexN]

I witnessed one if the iridium satellites a few weeks ago, I will say this IIS passing was MUCH more spectacular.... Mostly due to the conditions here in SE QLD tonight, its very clear, very calm... and on that note, im heading back out to my scope!

Clear skies and happy viewing!

Alex!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Phil,
I was outside setting up and saw it too. It sure was a bright passover. Heavens Above said it was -2.2 but I reckon it was much much brighter than that.

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

It was a great pass indeed, the best ISS pass I've seen bar none.

Even though the sky still had "daylight" in it to the west I was able to locate the ISS clearly by naked eye, low in the NW sky initially at no more than 15° elevation.

It rose majestically, passing through Orion just north of the Belt, then passing not too far south of Sirius which gave good opportunity to compare brightness of each - the ISS clearly brighter, as predicted for my location (mag -2.1) - and it eventually descended to the south passing "below" Crux and coming within a very short distance of Alpha Centauri.

I didn't see any of the flaring that I have occasionally seen with the ISS and more so with the Hubble passes, but regardless this was still the best ISS flyover I've ever seen!

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

Originally Posted by Gargoyle_Steve

It rose majestically, passing through Orion just north of the Belt, then passing not too far south of Sirius which gave good opportunity to compare brightness of each - the ISS clearly brighter, as predicted for my location (mag -2.1) - and it eventually descended to the south passing "below" Crux and coming within a very short distance of Alpha Centauri.

For me in Toowing, it seemed to occult Betleguese. The contrast of the bright white ISS and the red giant made a spectacular sight.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

.... Mostly due to the conditions here in SE QLD tonight, its very clear, very calm... and on that note, im heading back out to my scope!

Clear skies and happy viewing!

Alex!

I was looking forward to a few hours nocturnal enjoyment myself because it was so "clear and calm". Pity that the clouds rolled in not too long after.
Funny how the clouds disappear once the moon rises though. That has happened every evening over the last week.

[AlexN]

That sucks! stayed fairly clear where I am most of the night. bit of scattered cloud to the north west, and a bit to the south. All of which was below 15° alt.

Mind you I'll admit that I packed it in as soon as the moon got about 30°.... brought out the binos to view jupiter and the moon at 4am... they were fairly close together..

[DARKMATTER]

hi,
Never tried to look for it myself and was wondering what it looks like?

Is it clearly identifiable?

thanks

Paul

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

A bunch of us from MAS (Southern Sydney) were out on the club field setting up for the evening and saw it. We were unsure at the time whether it was the ISS or just a plane without flashing lights on for some reason. It was incredibly bright - nothing like I've ever seen it before. We came to the conclusion it was the ISS, but were surprised nonetheless.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by DARKMATTER

hi,
Never tried to look for it myself and was wondering what it looks like?

Is it clearly identifiable?

thanks

Paul

Hi Paul,

When there is a bright magnitude passing the ISS is unmistakable. It resembles Jupiter with a faint orange colour. It will also be the only thing moving so you should have no troubles spotting it.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by DARKMATTER

hi,
Never tried to look for it myself and was wondering what it looks like?

Is it clearly identifiable?

thanks

Paul

Paul,
If you register your location at
www.heavens-above.com
You can then log on and print out charts that will tell you what satellite will be passing over your location, what time it will pass and how bright it should be.

[Jarrod]

passed right overhead here about 40minutes ago. WOW!!!!

I just happened to look out the window at the right time to spot it travelling through orion, couldnt believe my luck!

amazing!

[AlexN]

jjjnettie - Good link..

IIS making another pass this evening at 5:30ish.... further south though, 17deg max alt, rising WNW and setting SSE... May be visible from brisbane...