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Date: 20 Jun 2007 20:05:51
From: Dennis Woos
Subject: Observing the ISS with a scope
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Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so, what
software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in my club
with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit with folks
at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
Dennis
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Date: 06 Jul 2007 13:37:47
From:
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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I second the notion of using a camera. I've used a Meade LPI to
broadcast a live view of ISS over the web and I have an electronic
eyepiece for public viewings as well, though so far I haven't been to
a public viewing with my scope at a time when there were any useful
ISS passes. I use Brent Boshart's program and to me it looks great
with a 9mm eyepiece in my 8" LX200, but unfortunately you have to make
frequent adjustments to the tracking at that magnification so it
doesn't work well for public viewing unless you use a video camera of
some kind. If you're willing to sacrifice most of the detail you
could slap a 2" widefield in there and let people take turns I suppose
- typically it'll stay in there once you get it centered even though
it'll drift some. I have made out the solar panels with my 2" 32mm
before, so if you can, give it a try and see if that'll work for you -
it'd probably be a lot easier to look through properly as well. As
someone mentioned you still have to be concerned with people being
able to look through it as it's moving but if you use a pass that
doesn't go more than about 50 degrees up it won't move ridiculously
fast. I hope you're able to pull it off, I bet that would stir up a
lot of public interest even if all they could see were the copper
solar panels.
Scott
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 13:45:03
From: Chris L Peterson
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:05:51 -0400, "Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net >
wrote:
>Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so, what
>software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in my club
>with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit with folks
>at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
I haven't tried at a public event, but I've followed the ISS with my
LX200 (with tracking software). I find it fairly difficult to move my
head with the eyepiece well enough to catch detail. I think the
logistics of getting one or two people to the scope during a pass,
dealing with eye position and focus issues, and explaining what they are
seeing would be problematic in a group setting.
I agree with what others have said: use a video camera on the scope so
that everybody can see the enlarged ISS, and otherwise let them follow
the event visually.
_________________________________________________
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 13:47:26
From: Dennis Woos
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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>>Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so, what
>>software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in my club
>>with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit with folks
>>at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
>
> I haven't tried at a public event, but I've followed the ISS with my
> LX200 (with tracking software). I find it fairly difficult to move my
> head with the eyepiece well enough to catch detail. I think the
> logistics of getting one or two people to the scope during a pass,
> dealing with eye position and focus issues, and explaining what they are
> seeing would be problematic in a group setting.
>
> I agree with what others have said: use a video camera on the scope so
> that everybody can see the enlarged ISS, and otherwise let them follow
> the event visually.
The eye position issue is one I hadn't thought of, and certainly deserves
consideration. Sometimes I forget just how difficult it can be for someone
unaccustomed to looking through an eyepiece to observe even an easy target
like the Moon, rather than a rapidly moving and often blurry satellite. I
remember my younger son's junior high science teacher once telling me that
my son was initially the only student able to see anything through a
microsope - just because he knew how to position his eye vis-a-vis an
eyepiece. Also, I can't count the times folks claim to see the moon through
one of our scopes even though I can see the exit pupil on their cheek.
The video option of course has a lot going for it, but I have found that,
for many folks, it is much more exciting to see something in the eyepiece.
Maybe this is a function of becoming saturated with great images, and the
video seems like more of the same. However, it may end up that this is the
best we can do in a public setting.
Dennis
>
> _________________________________________________
>
> Chris L Peterson
> Cloudbait Observatory
> http://www.cloudbait.com
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 10:28:41
From: Matthew Ota
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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On Jun 20, 5:05 pm, "Dennis Woos" <dpw...@gmavt.net > wrote:
> Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so, what
> software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in my club
> with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit with folks
> at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
>
> Dennis
This is the software that will drive your LX200 fast enough to track
the ISS and keep it in the eyepiece:
Improvements to the LX200GPS telescope interface.
Brent Boshart
P.O. Box 125
Atwood, Ontario
Canada N0G 1B0
Web Site: http://www.heavenscape.com
Email: brent@heavenscape.com
It really works too, and it is feasable to connect a low light level
video camera to your telescope so everybody can see.
Matthew Ota
Orange County Astronomers
Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory Association
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 20:59:58
From: David Knisely
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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Yes, it is possible to observe it telescopically, but it takes some
doing to track it well by hand. It does show some shape at only about
50x if the pass is fairly close and the seeing is good. A couple of
weeks ago, I could see a couple of the solar panels as faint spike-like
projections from the brighter lumpy bar of the station, but it was tough
to keep it in view to see more than this. However, it is not exactly
easy to make out this detail, so ISS isn't really a good telescopic
object for the public. One possibility is to download one of the
on-line movies of the passes taken with satellite tracking Meade LX-200
telescopes and then play it back for the public during the pass. Some
of the movies do show some noticeable detail. However, it would be
difficult for most people to look into a rapidly moving telescope for a
"live" view and see anything unless a TV camera were used and the output
sent to a large monitor. For most public observing sessions, ISS should
just be a naked-eye object which you can announce and point out to
people. Clear skies to you.
--
David W. Knisely KA0CZC@navix.net
Prairie Astronomy Club: http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
Hyde Memorial Observatory: http://www.hydeobservatory.info/
**********************************************
* Attend the 14th Annual NEBRASKA STAR PARTY *
* July 15th-20th, 2007, Merritt Reservoir *
* http://www.NebraskaStarParty.org *
**********************************************
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 22:34:33
From: Dennis Allen
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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Couple years ago I caught a solar transit of the ISS in my 13" scope,
30x. I could clearly see solar panels, main bodies, and the
shuttle.docked. Use calsky.com to get the next predicted transit in
your area...Dennis
"David Knisely" <KA0CZC@navix.net > wrote in message
news:6fa4f$4679db9f$471d5090$24515@ALLTEL.NET...
> Yes, it is possible to observe it telescopically, but it takes some
> doing to track it well by hand. It does show some shape at only about
> 50x if the pass is fairly close and the seeing is good. A couple of
> weeks ago, I could see a couple of the solar panels as faint
> spike-like projections from the brighter lumpy bar of the station, but
> it was tough to keep it in view to see more than this. However, it is
> not exactly easy to make out this detail, so ISS isn't really a good
> telescopic object for the public. One possibility is to download one
> of the on-line movies of the passes taken with satellite tracking
> Meade LX-200 telescopes and then play it back for the public during
> the pass. Some of the movies do show some noticeable detail.
> However, it would be difficult for most people to look into a rapidly
> moving telescope for a "live" view and see anything unless a TV camera
> were used and the output sent to a large monitor. For most public
> observing sessions, ISS should just be a naked-eye object which you
> can announce and point out to people. Clear skies to you.
> --
> David W. Knisely KA0CZC@navix.net
> Prairie Astronomy Club: http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
> Hyde Memorial Observatory: http://www.hydeobservatory.info/
>
> **********************************************
> * Attend the 14th Annual NEBRASKA STAR PARTY *
> * July 15th-20th, 2007, Merritt Reservoir *
> * http://www.NebraskaStarParty.org *
> **********************************************
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 23:18:19
From: Dennis Allen
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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And before somebody says something, yes my scope had a solar
filter...Dennis
"Dennis Allen" <dennis@dennisallen.com > wrote in message
news:d8ednbvKW743fuTbnZ2dnUVZ_r2onZ2d@pghconnect.com...
> Couple years ago I caught a solar transit of the ISS in my 13" scope,
> 30x. I could clearly see solar panels, main bodies, and the
> shuttle.docked. Use calsky.com to get the next predicted transit in
> your area...Dennis
>
>
> "David Knisely" <KA0CZC@navix.net> wrote in message
> news:6fa4f$4679db9f$471d5090$24515@ALLTEL.NET...
>> Yes, it is possible to observe it telescopically, but it takes some
>> doing to track it well by hand. It does show some shape at only
>> about 50x if the pass is fairly close and the seeing is good. A
>> couple of weeks ago, I could see a couple of the solar panels as
>> faint spike-like projections from the brighter lumpy bar of the
>> station, but it was tough to keep it in view to see more than this.
>> However, it is not exactly easy to make out this detail, so ISS isn't
>> really a good telescopic object for the public. One possibility is
>> to download one of the on-line movies of the passes taken with
>> satellite tracking Meade LX-200 telescopes and then play it back for
>> the public during the pass. Some of the movies do show some
>> noticeable detail. However, it would be difficult for most people to
>> look into a rapidly moving telescope for a "live" view and see
>> anything unless a TV camera were used and the output sent to a large
>> monitor. For most public observing sessions, ISS should just be a
>> naked-eye object which you can announce and point out to people.
>> Clear skies to you.
>> --
>> David W. Knisely KA0CZC@navix.net
>> Prairie Astronomy Club: http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
>> Hyde Memorial Observatory: http://www.hydeobservatory.info/
>>
>> **********************************************
>> * Attend the 14th Annual NEBRASKA STAR PARTY *
>> * July 15th-20th, 2007, Merritt Reservoir *
>> * http://www.NebraskaStarParty.org *
>> **********************************************
>
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 01:18:15
From: OG
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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"Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net > wrote in message
news:137jg729ljh6q38@corp.supernews.com...
> Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so, what
> software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in my club
> with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit with folks
> at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
>
> Dennis
Given that the ISS is only visible for a few minutes each pass, and given
it's relative brightness, I don't think that you need a scope to make it a
feature of public events. Tell people roughly where to look and when, and
they will be happy!
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 20:31:33
From: Dennis Woos
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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"OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk > wrote in message
news:5dtueiF36dh4hU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net> wrote in message
> news:137jg729ljh6q38@corp.supernews.com...
>> Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so, what
>> software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in my club
>> with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit with
>> folks at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
>>
>> Dennis
>
> Given that the ISS is only visible for a few minutes each pass, and given
> it's relative brightness, I don't think that you need a scope to make it a
> feature of public events. Tell people roughly where to look and when, and
> they will be happy!
>
This we already do. My question pertains to seeing the ISS with some
shape/detail by observing it telescopically.
Dennis
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 01:44:03
From: OG
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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"Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net > wrote in message
news:137jhn98etcr943@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message
> news:5dtueiF36dh4hU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net> wrote in message
>> news:137jg729ljh6q38@corp.supernews.com...
>>> Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so, what
>>> software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in my club
>>> with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit with
>>> folks at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
>>>
>>> Dennis
>>
>> Given that the ISS is only visible for a few minutes each pass, and given
>> it's relative brightness, I don't think that you need a scope to make it
>> a feature of public events. Tell people roughly where to look and when,
>> and they will be happy!
>>
>
> This we already do. My question pertains to seeing the ISS with some
> shape/detail by observing it telescopically.
>
Fair enough, but how many of the public would you expect to see the ISS
through a scope in each pass? If you have a big screen and
some kind of CCTV you may be able to 'show' at a public event, but otherwise
you may be better with 'stock photos' of the ISS.
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 21:03:50
From: Dennis Woos
Subject: Re: Observing the ISS with a scope
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"OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk > wrote in message
news:5dtvuuF369gelU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net> wrote in message
> news:137jhn98etcr943@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>> "OG" <owen@gwynnefamily.org.uk> wrote in message
>> news:5dtueiF36dh4hU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> "Dennis Woos" <dpwoos@gmavt.net> wrote in message
>>> news:137jg729ljh6q38@corp.supernews.com...
>>>> Anybody have any experience observing the ISS with a scope? If so,
>>>> what software do you use to track, what magnification, etc. A guy in
>>>> my club with an 8" lx200 and I are wondering if this would be a big hit
>>>> with folks at public events. schools, etc. Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> Dennis
>>>
>>> Given that the ISS is only visible for a few minutes each pass, and
>>> given it's relative brightness, I don't think that you need a scope to
>>> make it a feature of public events. Tell people roughly where to look
>>> and when, and they will be happy!
>>>
>>
>> This we already do. My question pertains to seeing the ISS with some
>> shape/detail by observing it telescopically.
>>
>
> Fair enough, but how many of the public would you expect to see the ISS
> through a scope in each pass? If you have a big screen and
> some kind of CCTV you may be able to 'show' at a public event, but
> otherwise you may be better with 'stock photos' of the ISS.
>
It isn't either/or. Some folks can observe it naked eye, and some can get a
peek at it through one or more scopes. I know we could image it and display
video on a laptop, which would allow more folks to view it simultaneously.
However, and even though we often do small groups, I don't think it is
important that everyone gets a look. Anyone who doesn't will certainly get
to observe other stuff equally interesting.
Dennis
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