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[ripps1]

I got up from the computer after checking for the next ISS "visual" on J-Pass. I announced to wife, sister, mother & niece (visiting at the time) that the space station was due to fly overhead in 2 minutes.

We all went out on the patio - the sun had set and the sky was starting to darken. I pointed in the direction to watch and we stood in breathless anticipation.

My niece was the first to notice a moving star coming from where I had pointed. I saw it, too and announced "that must be it - I'm sure that's it - right speed, right direction - yep that's it".

We all took turns trying to spot it in the binoculars as it got closer and closer until it was almost overhead. Then we heard the engines!!

Was my face red.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Dennis,

That is quite funny, but you are a secure and honorable man to admit it. ;D

I did see the ISS during the Bootid meteor shower, it was quite bright and fast.

Hail Dennis.

[stargazer]

Dont worry about seeing the wrong thing. I have done it many times. When all you see is a white light stricking accross the sky you want to beleive it it the ISS. I tracked a plane one day from my house thinking it was the ISS only to find out as it got closer to me it was a plane. I have seen and tracked the ISS and Shuttle together once. Cant wait to see if I can do it again next year and maybe get it on tape. Oh well we shall see.

B

[ripps1]

I did track the (actual) ISS before in binoculars. Seems to me its' color shifted to red just before disappearing into the shadow of the earth. Anyone else notice this?
-Rip

[stargazer]

What you are seeing when it turns red is it going into our atmosphere. Meaning that it is at such an angle to us that you are looking through our atmosphere at it. So you will see a different color to it. It dosent happen all the time just at certain angles to us. If you catch it again and watch it disappear if it is high enough it wont turn colors.

B

[ripps1]

That's pretty much what I figured happened. That time it caught the shadow about 15 to 20 degrees above the horizon which is probably low enough. Same reason the rising moon looks red.
-Rip