International Space Station (ISS) - Sightings over the Virgin Islands

Swan, when is the next sighting? Tonight was good but short and cut shorter by clouds. great to see!
thanks

Good morning Chery,
Because this next sighting is short and not very high over the horizon, I normally wouldn't post it; too difficult to spot at times ( the arc is short). Here it is, anyway:

This Friday, Feb. 18th
Time: 6:50pm
Run Time: 2 minutes
40 degrees over the horizon
Arriving from the WNW and Departing to the NNE (WNW to NNE)

I haven't gotten the schedule yet for next month; many ISS passes over the VI lately have been in the mornings (which I don't post because they occur around 5am to 6am) but then, eventually, ISS returns to the evenings once again for a while. Thank you for your interest in ISS; she's quite a sight, isn't she?

Swan

Thanks a million Swan !!! AGAIN, that was really AWESOME !!!
It was the clearest we've ever seen it, as it was the perfect sky last night.

Keep posting !!

Suzette

Hey, Swan. Any info on solar flares (like the one yesterday) and how they might effect us? This is supposed to be Solar Max, right?

Good morning Suzette and rhstoo,

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/News021411-xclass.html

Reminder: Tonight at 6:50pm, ISS will make a 2 minute run at 40 degrees above the horizon; It will travel from the WNW to the NNE (not the most dramatic sighting, but you may catch her up there).

Rhstoo: You are absolutely correct in that we are entering Solar Max; however, except for some very pretty 'light shows' this eleven year cycle isn't suppose to produce much more than that. The recent solar flare caused some radio disruptions, but that is all. I attached a link for you from NASA: it's quite interesting.

Thank you for following ISS!

Swan

Good day everyone.

This Saturday and Sunday night, ISS will be passing over the VIs. Please note, however, that ISS will be less than 45 degrees over the horizon, rather than the spectacular 'overhead' runs we've enjoyed.

Saturday, March 12th
Time: 7:03 pm
A 4 minute run!
25 degrees over the horizon
Arriving from the North and and Departing to the East (N to E)

Sunday, March 13th
Time: 7:30 pm
A 3 minute run
40 degrees over the horizon (should be easy to see)
Arriving from the West and Departing to the SSE (W to SSE)

Reminder: Timing is exact - please use the cellphone clock.

A note: "Discovery", with her crew of 6, landed safely at Kennedy Space Center yesterday around noon EST. This was "Discovery's" last flight and it will be retired after 39 historical flights.

"Endeavour" is scheduled to visit ISS (STS134) on April 19th and will be retired after that launch mission.

"Atlantis" is scheduled as (STS335/ rescue for Endeavour) and/ or for it's flight (STS135) on June 28th to ISS. After it's return, it will be retired as will be NASA's "Space Shuttle Program."

Enjoy ISS!
Swan

I was outside at about 3:40 pm today and saw a contrail from a fast mover that really intrigued me. It came from the southeast at a 50 or 60 degree angle and was really moving. I can't accurately guess the altitude it obtained but it was certainly tens of housands of feet. Anybody have any ideas about what it was? I would guess a missile more than a plane from how it moved but that doesn't make any sense.

Good day Friends of ISS:

ISS will be passing over the VIs this Friday and Sunday evening after more than a month's AM only visible orbits:

FRIDAY, April 15th
Time: 7:59 PM
A 3 minute run @ 40 degrees over the horizon
Arriving from the WSW and Departing to the NNW (WSW to NNW)

SUNDAY, April 17th
Time: 7:14 PM
A 5 minute run @ 40 degrees over the horizon
Arriving from the WSW and Departing to the NNE (WSW to NNE)

As you know, timing is exact and the Space Station will appear as a bright, non-blinking light gliding over the night sky. Give the crew a wave!
Thank you for your continued interest in ISS.

Swan

Posted for Swan (currently out of U.S.)

The International Space Station will be visible over the Virgin Islands on -

Tuesday - May 10th
Time: 7:17PM
Maximum elevation: 50 degrees
Arriving from the NNW and Departing to the SE
The run time: 5 minutes

As Swan would say: "Give them a wave!"

Eurospace

The International Space Station will be visible over the Virgin Islands on -

Tuesday - May 10th
Time: 7:17PM
Maximum elevation: 50 degrees
Arriving from the NNW and Departing to the SE
The run time: 5 minutes
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Good evening,
ISS will also be visible over the Virgin Islands on:

Wednesday, May 11th
Time - 7:43PM (Timing is exact)
A 3 minute run
@ 22 degrees over the horizon (a little lower than most sightings I usually post)
Arriving from the WSW and Departing to the South (WSW to the S)

Note: The launching of Endeavour's last mission (STS134) has again been postponed; Atlantis is still scheduled for launch at the end of June for her last mission (STS135), after which the Space Shuttle Program will be retired.

Thank you for your interest in ISS! Give em' a wave!

Swan

 

Just watched the May 10th flyby. WOW!!!!! Thanks, Swan.

Just watched the May 10th flyby. WOW!!!!! Thanks, Swan.

Good night Dick,
Thanks! And you're welcome! Five minute runs like this one are not all too common, but they certainly are spectacular!
Thank you, too, Houston!
Swan

Do you know of any sightings we will be able to see during May 27-June 20th? We'd love to see something!

Paula

Good morning Paula,

ISS's visible sightings have been passing over the VIs in the early morning hours between 4 and 6am and I usually don't post those for obvious reasons. The remaining sightings this month will be also AM and very difficult to spot due to too short of a run length and ISS's low position/ location over the horizon.

I haven't received June's sighting schedules as yet through NASA, but as soon as I do I will let you know and also inform you as to if ISS will remain visible during the AM hours or return to the PM hours.(AM passes are beautiful too! Grab an early cup of coffee and enjoy!)

A note: The Space Shuttle Orbiter, Endeavour, is currently docked with ISS; This is her last mission (STS134) to ISS and she will be retired after she returns home.

And BTW: I can let anyone, anywhere on Earth know when ISS will be visible over their area.

Thank you so much for your interest in ISS!

Swan

We had a prayer of an opening in the clouds for Sunday AM pass, nearly overhead. But at the appointed hour it was raining. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the Tuesday AM pass, but it will be low in the sky. I'm hoping for a photograph...wish me luck.

G'morning SunnyCaribe,

Sunday's sighting would have been glorious! At 4:50AM, a 3 minute run overhead (88 degrees), passing from the SW to the NE...who could ask for more! Tuesday's sighting will be very difficult, however: At 4:05AM, at 29 degrees over the horizon, less than a one (1) minute run, passing from the NE to the NE; ISS will almost disappear before it exists, unfortunately. I do hope you see a glimpse of her; but she will return soon to show off her beautiful glide in the near future.And that is a promise.

Swan

Thank you Swan-- I'll be looking for any information you post. Heading down Friday8-)

We saw the Tuesday 0404 pass through holes in the clouds. It wasn't enough for a digital telescope photo, but a treat to see both the ISS and Endeavour nonetheless.

Do you know of any sightings we will be able to see during May 27-June 20th? We'd love to see something!

Paula

Good morning Paula and everyone,
Update:
Based on the information I received from NASA, no visible ISS sightings will occur at least up to the 12th of June over the USVI and PR. I have not the schedule after the 12th as yet. Some surrounding islands (eg. Haiti/DR, BVI, Cuba) will be fortunately under ISS's path; but the USVI is just out of the 15 degree hourly orbital earth rotation that would place her within any sighting opportunities - either AM or PM. Sorry.

For those who would like ISS sightings off island for any location on earth, please feel free to send a PM and I'll send you the best sightings over that area (AM/PM opportunities)

Note: Endeavour has undocked from ISS and is "scheduled" to land at KSC (Kennedy Space Center) on Wednesday, June 1st at 2:35 AM. Atlantis (STS 135) is scheduled to launch to the ISS on July 28th; after this mission, she will be retired as will be the Space Shuttle Program.

The entire team of ISS's nations , NASA, and I thank you for your continued interest in ISS. She is pretty, isn't she?

Swan

Good evening everyone:

Update: Thank you, NASA:

I just received the information on the sighting opportunity of ISS over the USVI: ISS will be gliding over the islands on:

Sunday - June 12th
Time: At 8:04PM (Reminder: Timing is exact...use your cellphone clock)
Path: Overhead (@ 71 degrees)
Run Time - 6 minutes (a first for USVI in a long time)
Arriving from the SW and Departing to the NE (SW to NE)

ISS will be seen as a very bright, non-blinking light, silently gliding over the sky. If the sky is clear, this sighting will be spectacular, if not remarkable.

Remember to "give em' a wave!"

I will repost this sighting a couple of days before the 12th as a reminder of her coming visit!

Swan

Thank you very much Swan!! We will be giving them a wave for sure!:@)

Thank you Houston.

Good evening everyone,

ISS will be making two outstanding 6 minute runs over the Virgin Islands in the next several days, providing excellent sighting opportunities if the sky is clear.

Sunday - June 12th
Time: 8:07PM (exact- use the cellphone clock!)
Run Time: 6 minutes
Path: Pretty much Overhead (@ 70 degrees above the horizon)
Arriving from the SW and Departing to the NNE. (SW to NNE)

Tuesday - June 14th
Time: 7:32 PM
Run Time: 6 minutes
Path: Slightly off center at 40 degrees above the horizon
Arriving from the WSW and Departing to the NNE. (WSW to NNE)

Reminder: ISS will appear as the brightest of any star - a non-blinking bright light gliding gently across the night sky.
Expedition 28, there are 6 crew members aboard. Thank you for your continued interest in ISS!

"Give em' a wave!"

Swan

Thank you Swan-- here's hoping for clear skies!

Thanks Swan !!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Houston.

Good evening everyone,

ISS will be making two outstanding 6 minute runs over the Virgin Islands in the next several days, providing excellent sighting opportunities if the sky is clear.

Sunday - June 12th
Time: 8:07PM (exact- use the cellphone clock!)
Run Time: 6 minutes
Path: Pretty much Overhead (@ 70 degrees above the horizon)
Arriving from the SW and Departing to the NNE. (SW to NNE)

Tuesday - June 14th
Time: 7:32 PM
Run Time: 6 minutes
Path: Slightly off center at 40 degrees above the horizon
Arriving from the WSW and Departing to the NNE. (WSW to NNE)

Reminder: ISS will appear as the brightest of any star - a non-blinking bright light gliding gently across the night sky.
Expedition 28, there are 6 crew members aboard. Thank you for your continued interest in ISS!

"Give em' a wave!"

Swan

Paula and Suzette: You are VERY welcome! And for our early morning ISS observer - Sunny Caribe - I will be posting for you on Monday, two fantastic 5 minute ISS sightings for this Wednesday and Thursday morning @ 5:17 and 4:15 AM consecutive runs. Early, early cups of coffee!! Houston (NASA), the ISS Team of Nations, and I thank you all.