Is the ISS visable with an 8" scope?

[prova]

as above .. is it at all visable and if so what detail would one get looking at it and is tracking required?

[h0ughy (David)]

yes tracking of some description is required - eother by hand with a DOB or PC control if on a guided mount. depends on the eyepiece, but the scale should be good. Try a pair of binos for your first go to see how it looks, then you should have an idea. Better still do a search on the web to find some excellent examples

[prova]

well unfortunately i don't have tracking on my EQ5 and have 25mm/10mm/2x barlow eyepiece's .. would it still be possible with the above gear?

also, any sites with location information would be great!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Unfortunately the path of the ISS varies considerably and rarely if ever follows the same path that the stars take in the sky. Rather than trying to track it with the clock drive of the mount you might find it easier to loosen both the RA and DEC clutches and push the telescope on the free moving mount to follow the space station. For your first attempt I would suggest the 25mm eyepiece. Keeping the ISS manually centered in that will be a pretty big challenge.

Some scopes, like the Meade LX200 range and some of the Celestron fork mounted scopes can be programmed to follow satellites.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

you can see the solar panels at least. I was once lucky enough to see it through the scope quickly passing in front of the nearly full moon.

[oggie doggie]

Originally Posted by prova

well unfortunately i don't have tracking on my EQ5 and have 25mm/10mm/2x barlow eyepiece's .. would it still be possible with the above gear?

also, any sites with location information would be great!

Prova, www.heavens-above.com will give you where and when for the ISS and other satellites.
I've tried to track it manually with an 8" dob and it can be done. I've just got a TOUCAM and will try and capture it at some stage.

[sheeny (Al)]

Like the others have said, unless you have a fork mounted cassegrain and the right software, the best method is hand guiding. I have read on one of the satellite tracking websites that at 50X magnification you can see plenty of detail.

I can tell you that at 20X (binoculars) you can't see any detail, but I'm yet to repeat that test with a neutral density filter just to dim it a bit to see if the glare is overwhelming the detail.

Have a go and let us know how you get on!

Al.

[sheeny (Al)]

If you are keen on tracking satellites Orbitron is a great piece of freeware.

Al.

[astroron (Ron)]

I have seen the ISS panels in a 16" Dob scope, and was able to track quite easley,
I think it is best to see it in the twilight as it reduces the glare