Watched the ISS pass over Knoxville, TN at a low 19 deg angle tonight, but it flared real nice at max elevation over us. Using 10 X 50 binoculars, I was not sure if I was seeing correctly, but I thought I could make out an "H" shape, which I have never made out before. I wasn't sure if my eyes were playing tricks or if I really made out the solar arrays. Has anyone used 10 X 50 or similar binoculars and been able to make out the shape of the ISS before? I know that telescopic lenses are used to image the ISS from the ground, but wasn't sure their magnification. Time of pass: 2109 eastern time predicted -.9 mgnitude, but flare got to mag -2 for upwards of 30 seconds before fading to horizon. This is when I could make out the "H" shape as it was on closest approach. Also just saw Resurs 1-4 rocket pass over at 22:15 Eastern time. UNKNOWN: Thought I saw Envisat though said binocs but this satellite was traveling due East, went into eclipse at 22:30, and I caught it just about 30 seconds before eclipse. Elevation about 25-30 degrees, ESE of my location. Never caught Envisat. Cosmos 2237 Rocket - observed as predicted MetOp-A - observed as predicted UNKNOWN: 22:38-22:40 Traveling ENE, crossed during MetOpA pass, apprx 75 deg overhead at closest approach, mag 3.5 Saw ISS again, first time Ive observed 2x in one night. This time passing NW to NE. My location: 35.9676°N, 84.0251°W Several more scheduled. I use Heavens-Above so as you can tell I'm pretty green. -- Gregory S. Williams gregwilliams(at)knology.net k4hsm(at)knology.net http://www.etskywarn.net http://www.twiar.org http://www.icebearnation.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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