Space stuff thread

[Kari]

I like the ISS Tracker App, have it on Windows 8.1 and 10 and on Windows Phone:

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ISS Tracker in Windows Store: ISS Tracker app for Windows in the Windows Store
ISS Tracker in Windows Phone Store: ISS Tracker | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store

 

[Layback Bear]

It's very strange to me.
They can find Beagle 2 on Mars and still can't find Jimmy Hoffa here on Earth.

 

[Anak]

I have those two plus, in no particular order:
#1 Astronomical and Space Calendar - CalSky

Spaceweather.com's Simple Satellite Tracker: International Space Station, spy satellites, Hubble Space Telescope

Current position of the ISS

https://www.space-track.org/auth/login

LIVE REAL TIME SATELLITE TRACKING AND PREDICTIONS:

Space-Track needs registration (free), and some planetarium software like Stellarium and Celestia offer tracking, but I always come back to: Heavens-Above I believe it's because it shows two views of its tracking; astronomical and ground tracking and it's the first one I started with.

   Information

For first time users:

• When using any of these trackers make sure you configure your location first, it will give better results in the timing of the fly-overs.

• Depending on your line of sight to the horizon you will soon notice and adjust to what point in degrees of elevation above the horizon that you will be able to initially spot the object your tracking. With most objects and a clear, level sight-line the object will be visible at approximately 10° above the horizon. In my area with many trees, rolling hills and Blue Mountain a mile away I need at least 20°.

• After using a tracker of your choice you will notice the initial contact compass heading of the ISS is regular and you can use local landmarks to help with spotting it.

May you have Clear Skies!

 

[Anak]

It's very strange to me.
Then can find Beagle 2 on Mars and still can't find Jimmy Hoffa here on Earth.

Some things are left to the mysteries of the Universe.

May you have Clear Skies!

 

[z3r010]

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[Kari]

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[Anak]

An asteroid, designated 2004 BL86, will safely pass about three times the distance of Earth to the moon on January 26. From its reflected brightness, astronomers estimate that the asteroid is about a third of a mile (0.5 kilometers) in size. The flyby of 2004 BL86 will be the closest by any known space rock this large until asteroid 1999 AN10 flies past Earth in 2027.

Source with animation links: JPL | News | Asteroid to Fly By Earth Safely on January 26

Clear Skies!

 

[Anak]

an asteroid, designated 2004 bl86, will safely pass about three times the distance of earth to the moon on january 26. From its reflected brightness, astronomers estimate that the asteroid is about a third of a mile (0.5 kilometers) in size. The flyby of 2004 bl86 will be the closest by any known space rock this large until asteroid 1999 an10 flies past earth in 2027.

Source with animation links: jpl | news | asteroid to fly by earth safely on january 26

clear skies!

~~~ ~~~~ ~~~
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asteroid 2004 bl86 will pass incredibly close, around 745,000 miles, to earth and stargazers can watch the close approach with the aid of binoculars or a telescope while slooh will team up for a live stream. The asteroid is a third of a mile in size and will not pass so close to earth for another 200 years. The asteroid's close approach live stream begins at 11 a.m. Est monday.

Source with added links to view online: Asteroid 2004 BL86 Close Approach Live Stream: Watch It Pass 745,000 Miles From Earth, Viewing Tips

That would be 4pm UTC....

 

[Anak]

Delta ll launch from Vandenberg AFB CA

SMAP Launch at 9:20am est (14:20 UTC) - January 29, 2015

Learning from Soil Moisture

SMAP will produce global maps of soil moisture, which will help improve our understanding of Earth's water and carbon cycles and our ability to manage water resources. how it works

Live Video streaming by Ustream

Related:
All systems ‘go’ for Delta 2 rocket launch of SMAP | Spaceflight Now

 

[Anak]

Launch scrubbed processing now for 24hour turnaround. https://twitter.com/nasasmap

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[Anak]

ULA Delta II moved to Saturday SMAP launch attempt

United Launch Alliance (ULA) will make a second attempt to conduct a rare Delta II launch on Saturday morning, at 6:20 am local, following a scrub on Thursday, along with a debonding of insulation on the booster, suffered during the subsequent detanking .

Source: ULA Delta II moved to Saturday SMAP launch attempt | NASASpaceFlight.com

SMAP Launch at 6:20 am local PST (14:20 UTC) - January 31, 2015

 

[z3r010]

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[z3r010]

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[Anak]

I never get tired of watching a liftoff.

 

[Anak]

Solar Activity

C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast

No radio blackouts were observed over the past 24 hours.

Radio Blackout Forecast for Feb 07-Feb 09 2015
.................Feb 07 Feb 08 Feb 09
R1-R2......... 20%.... 20% ...20%
R3 or greater 1%...... 1%..... 1%

Rationale
There is a slight chance for an R1 (Minor) or greater radio blackouts from Regions 2277 and 2280.

Source:

 

[Anak]

An Edge-On Close Encounter with Jupiter

Happened yesterday:

Feb 6, 2015: Every 13 months, Earth and Jupiter have a close encounter. Astronomers call it an "opposition" because Jupiter is opposite the Sun in the sky. Our solar system’s largest gas planet rises in the east at sunset, and soars overhead at midnight, shining brighter than any star in the night sky.
This year's opposition of Jupiter occurs on Feb. 6th. It isn't an ordinary close encounter with Earth (approximately 640 million kilometers), but in Feb. 2015, Jupiter is edge on to the Sun.

Source: An Edge-On Close Encounter with Jupiter - NASA Science

 

[z3r010]

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[z3r010]

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A busy day for SpaceX with the launch still looking for 6:05pm ET

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[Anak]

Thanks for the update John, I'm busy today but will try to make time to watch.

 

[Borg 386]

Nice animation of how it's supposed to work. Would be nice if it worked like that in real life. Perhaps one of these days....