Second attempt at the ISS

[Matty P (Matt)]

Last night, I had another opportunity to image the International Space Station. After my first attempt I had been eagerly awaiting this bright passing.

This ISS passing was a bright magnitude -2.4 reaching a maximum elevation of about 78° overhead. The Shuttle was docked at the time. There was
group of high cloud around making a nuisance of themselves.

I was better prepared this time but there was still uncertainty of the right exposure time to use. I went with a 1/900sec exposure time with the gain set at 60% with the DMK shooting at 60fps.

I accidentally miscalculated the exact path of the ISS resulting in the scope pointing the wrong way. The ISS traveled directly overhead requiring me to pick up and move the scope by hand. I lost precious time doing this and the ISS quickly disappeared in the Earth's shadow.

I was lucky to get a couple of frames with the ISS. Roughly around 30 out of 8,000.

I am disappointed with this attempt because of the bad quality of each frame. I am very lucky that there is another bright passing on the 17th. This will give me another chance to improve my results and hopefully capture a few half decent frames with the ISS on it.

All in all it was really fun to get out there trying to chase down a satellite.

Practice makes perfect.

1st image: The best 3 frames from the AVI

2nd image: Animation showing how difficult it is to image the ISS

Thanks for looking.

[RB (Andrew)]

LOL those poor astronauts, pass the sea sick pills.

Seriously though you've done well considering you had to relocate the scope.
I know how hard it is to capture anything and what an adrenaline rush it is once the ISS appears in the sky, seems like a thousand things can go wrong.

Look forward to what you get tomorrow.

Keep up the great work Matty !

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by RB

LOL those poor astronauts, pass the sea sick pills.

Seriously though you've done well considering you had to relocate the scope.
I know how hard it is to capture anything and what an adrenaline rush it is once the ISS appears in the sky, seems like a thousand things can go wrong.

Look forward to what you get tomorrow.

Keep up the great work Matty !

Thanks Andrew.

LOL they will need more than sea sick pills.

Like you said, once the ISS appears you start to forget what exactly you have to do. I almost forgot to start recording. When a thousand things can go wrong..... they go wrong.

I have quickly learnt when imaging the ISS the main thing you need on your side is luck.

[iceman (Mike)]

I think you'll need a faster shutter to try and freeze the image when you eventually do get it on the CCV. Your hand will just never be steady enough otherwise.

Great 2nd attempt!

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by iceman

I think you'll need a faster shutter to try and freeze the image when you eventually do get it on the CCV. Your hand will just never be steady enough otherwise.

Great 2nd attempt!

Thanks for your comment Mike,

When you say faster shutter, how much faster do you mean? say a 1/1200s exposure?

[iceman (Mike)]

Yes, something like 1/1200s.