Hi I think the maximum number of passes depends on the dates that the ISS lines up with the terminator, the observer's latitude, and how well a particular observer can spot a pass in twilight. It is 5 or 6 passes when the ISS lines up with the terminator about a month or so before or after the solstice and from a latitude about 40-45 ( very approximately). This latitude gives the longest night and ISS is still above the horizon on every pass and every pass the ISS is just barely illuminated (which occurs like this last sequence about 6 or so weeks before or after the solstice) which again means the period of darkness is maximized. The last parameter just depends on your eyesight. Lots of people have seen 5, I can't remember anyone reporting 6. Dale > -----Original Message----- > From: Edward S Light [mailto:edlight@juno.com] > Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2001 2:49 PM > To: SeeSat-L@blackadder.lmsal.com > Cc: light@argoscomp.com > Subject: Re: Many consecutive visible ISS passes > > > Recently, the question was asked regarding the maximum number of > consecutive ISS passes visible in the same night (i.e. sunset to > the next sunrise). It seems to me that for such maxima to occur, > it helps if the satellite is in constant sunlight during its entire > orbit and I was curious how often this arises. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Aug 05 2001 - 19:10:41 PDT