The International Space Station passes close to Jupiter

[rvfharrier]

Great video of an awesome accomplishment of human kind passing by an awesome product of the laws of physics. Makes me think that I really need to dig my telescope out of the loft and start stargazing again!

An excellent soundtrack too. Could I ask what and who it was? :)

[george7378]

@rvfharrier Thankyou so much - that's exactly how I feel. I bet a lot more people would be interested in astronomy and space if they were shown the ISS flying over just once...

The soundtrack is 'Era' by Era - it's confusing, but if you just type in Era-Era you should get it. Thanks!

[rvfharrier]

@george7378 Brilliant, got it. Thanks.

[ApolloWasReal]

Isn't the ISS normally brighter than Jupiter? I figure it must have been in sunlight, or you wouldn't have seen it at all. What was its elevation?

[george7378]

@ApolloWasReal It is normally, but I think the pass was actually quite low - it usually goes horizontally across, but this time it was nearly vertical. I can't remember the elevation, but it was definitely not at its highest.

[ApolloWasReal]

@george7378 Well, you have the date, so given your location and the time we could determine Jupiter's elevation and the solar phase angle on the ISS. Maybe that was the reason for the ISS being dimmer than usual.

[george7378]

@ApolloWasReal The maximum altitude of the ISS was only about 21 degres, and Jupiter was only about 25 degrees, so yes - it was quite low. heavens-above says that the ISS was only mag. -1.6, so yes - it was quite dim.

[ApolloWasReal]

@george7378 Thanks, that explains it.



[ufoguy1962]

I watch the Space Station every chance I get. A bright pass on a clear night is a thing of beauty. And what an added bonus when it flies by a planet. Gotta love it.

[remyworldpeace]

Awesome video!

Thanks for subbing - have subbed back :)

[george7378]

@remyworldpeace Thanks for the comments - I love your ISS video too. It's great to find another young astro-nerd!