Despite thin clouds, in advance of a forecasted winter storm, we just saw beautiful high passes of Progress M1-4 (26615=00-073A) and ISS (25544=98-067A). At 17:30.7 EST (22:30.7 UTC 13 December), Progress appeared about mag 0.5 (i.e. between Vega and Deneb in brightness) as it zipped through Pegasus. Then, at 22:33.7 UTC, as it was some 20 degrees to the left of Altair (at 36 deg elevation in the SW), ISS was seen at approximate magnitude zero. At its highest (82 degs, above the great square of Pegasus), at 22:34.8 UTC it was noticeably brighter than Jupiter's -2.8 mag, say about -3 or -3.5. By 22:35.6, as it passed through Perseus (47 deg high in the ENE), it had "faded" to Jupiter's brightness. Unlike last night, ISS's copperish color, while still noticeable, was not very prominent (although it was definitely redder than Jupiter). We didn't have time to get our binoculars so no attempt was made to see any "shape"; the clouds would've probably made it difficult anyway. Clear and dark skies! Ed and Darlene Light Lakewood, New Jersey, USA 40.1075N, 074.2312W, +24m (80 feet) ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 : Wed Dec 13 2000 - 15:15:45 PST