Reports

One space station, one space shuttle, one camera and one chance at a photo, but the impressive number tonight is thirteen. That's how many people are on that point of light streaking across the sky, and it includes two Canadians.

The International Space Station, accompanied by the space shuttle Endeavor, is currently making a series of favourable passes over Hamilton. I got this photo earlier this evening as the ISS passed through the Big Dipper. By checking the web site 'Heavens-Above' you can get predicted times when you can see the space station/shuttle as well. Here's the link: http://www.heavens-above.com/?Lat=43.1&Lng=-79.8&Alt=197&Loc=Binbrook+Conservation+Area&TZ=EST

In this case, knowing that the ISS would pass through a particularly photogenic part of the sky, I set up well ahead of time and made several test exposures to make sure I had the right balance for the station, the stars and the light pollution! When it appears you only get one chance at your photo; moving at 25,000 km/h the station doesn't stay around long! The massive station/shuttle complex appeared about as bright as Venus, easily outshining anything else in the night sky.

Today, July 20th, is the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing, Apollo 11. Think about that as you go out to see the ISS for yourself, and feel free to share your exeriences here on the HAA blog.

The International Space Station, the space shuttle Endeavor and 13 astronauts pass through Ursa Major, and over Hamilton.