Re: STS-88, ISS: Different Behavior

Mark Hanning-Lee (markhl@prodigy.net)
Tue, 15 Dec 1998 21:17:20 -0800

jvarney@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> 
> Saw Endeavour and ISS Dec. 15th at 0613 and 0615 PST from Sacramento, Calif.
> Pass went from the northwest to the southeast in the predawn twilight.
> 
> What was interesting was how they behaved differently as they went down in the
> southeast.  STS-88 stayed bright at -1 or so until I lost it behind another
> house.  ISS faded badly right after culmination and as it went down it became
> difficult to see in the twilight at mag 3 or so.
> 
> My hunch is I had STS flying "white side down" with the sun glinting off of a
> perhaps closed payload bay, while ISS was end-on to me and is dull-colored.

I'd missed the Endeavour but I saw the same ISS pass (my first!) from
Tustin, Orange County, CA. Same effect that ISS faded rapidly as it went
towards the dawn.

Bcc'ing this to seesat-l.

Best, Mark