Nov. 14th STS Launch

[diggercam88]

Just had a weird question. With the launch from Cape Canaveral at 7:55 Est. would I be able to see anything from Central Illinois? What direction would I have to look? I would be happy just to see a "dot" flying into orbit!

Any Help????

 

[astrosammy]

Thats nearly 1500 km away from the Cape, I don't think so. If it's dark already you maybe see it one Orbit later in SE direction.

 

[Jarvitä]

No. Don't you have the slightest concept of US geography and distances?

 

[Zatnikitelman]

I once saw the shuttle here in Atlanta, GA shortly after a launch. Just a small speck moving incredibly fast against the stars. Unless the phasing was absolutely right, I doubt it was the ISS though in hindsight (given the Orbital phasing) it well could have been.

 

[diggercam88]

I guess I dont have the slightest concept of geological direction. It was just a question. Im not a scientist.

 

[yagni01]

I once saw the shuttle here in Atlanta, GA shortly after a launch. Just a small speck moving incredibly fast against the stars. Unless the phasing was absolutely right, I doubt it was the ISS though in hindsight (given the Orbital phasing) it well could have been.

The ISS is amazingly bright. There would be no mistaking it.

 

[Kaito]

I guess I dont have the slightest concept of geological direction. It was just a question. Im not a scientist.

Sorry to say, but thats not science.

You are here -> x

Cape Canaveral is................................................................................................................................................................................................









..................................................................................................................................................................................................




















































.................................................................................................................................................................here ->x




You are way to far away to see anything

 

[diggercam88]

:rofl:

it was just a question!

NASA has a site that proves to be uesful. You can look up current sightings of satellites and such! You all probly know of this but its pretty cool!

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/JavaSSOP.html

Sorry if I disrespected anyone with such an obsurd question!

 

[garyw]

Use this for ISS and Shuttle viewing ops:
http://www.heavens-above.com/

 

[FordPrefect]

Just had a weird question. With the launch from Cape Canaveral at 7:55 Est. would I be able to see anything from Central Illinois? What direction would I have to look? I would be happy just to see a "dot" flying into orbit!

Any Help????

Hey diggercam88,

it seems the sighting opportunities for a location in central Illinois are unfavorable during the times the shuttle isn't docked to the ISS, it's too low or even below the horizon. You may however be able to spot both on the evening sky from November 22nd to 26th, you surely won't be able to discern the Shuttle from the ISS unless you use a very powerful telescope, but you still would know you see both of them in that bright spot up there (the thought counts too!)!
I had assumed a location in Bloomington, Illinois hoping that would be central enough?

Here's the interesting dates for you, straight from calsky.com

Hope that helps, wish you luck with the weather then.

 

[diggercam88]

Thanks for the help! Thats a great site to use. Again, thanks!

 

[ryan]

The SRBs are quite bright, and STS-126 is gonna be a night launch, if you look in the right direction at the right time, and the weather is just right, you may be able to catch it, or if you have a fast telescope you may see it better.