This might be interesting for you or the kids (serious post)

Mark Rios

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This site will give you the time and area of the sky to see the International Space Station. The next few days are some of the very best to see it.

Click on the link and bring up the page. In the upper left you will see "Sighting Opportunities". The default country, U.S., is chosen, click on "Go to country". Choose your state on the next page and then choose your city from the page after that. The list that comes up will give you times and sky locations to see the ISS.

Happy viewing.

http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/
 
Thanks Mark!! It's been several years since we have been to a shuttle launch. It will be easy to see the relationship between the launches and viewing the ISS.:thumb:
 
This listing is for viewing with the naked eye. Field glasses will just make it that much better once you've located the ISS in the sky. You won't be able to see the solar wings unaided but you will be able to see the shiny spot moving through the sky.

This is a quote from a FAQ:

Should I use a telescope?
Unless you are a very experienced user, the answer is no. The station is moving too quickly to stay in your field of view more than a few moments. Naked eye viewing is best and a pair of binoculars can be used once you've sighted the station. Over time, as construction increases the size of the station, sharp eyed observers might be able to make out the station's general shape.

This quote was taken from: http://fun.familyeducation.com/satellites/outdoor-activities/35032.html

The NASA website, in the first post, should also have some very informative links and info for viewing as well as a bunch of other neato info regarding the ISS and the Shuttle.

For example, has anyone, either accidently or on purpose, poured out one gallon of gasoline on the ground and lit it on fire? It's quite the fireball. Well, the shuttle burns 1000 gallons of fuel every second on it's way into orbit. Let's see, at todays fuel prices, how much does it cost to fill the Shuttle's tank? :rofl:
 
For example, has anyone, either accidently or on purpose, poured out one gallon of gasoline on the ground and lit it on fire? It's quite the fireball. Well, the shuttle burns 1000 gallons of fuel every second on it's way into orbit. Let's see, at todays fuel prices, how much does it cost to fill the Shuttle's tank? :rofl:

Gee - does your car burn liquid hydrogen? Mine doesn't. Somehow, I don't really think there is any connection whatsoever between the retail price of pump gasoline, and liquid hydrogen.

As far as costs go - to put something in orbit, be it people, air water, food, spare parts, cameras, sensors, gadgetry of any kind, it runs about $10,000 a pound. And it won't ever get any cheaper until we're letting UPS/FedEx/DHL etc,etc,etc do it.

-Kevin in Indy (Long time Space Cadet)
 
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