I love looking at satellites as they pass over and I thought I'd share my best story/observation with you. Hopefully some of you have other good stories to share, I'd like to hear them.
It was July 4th, 1995. I had set up my 10"SCT in the driveway, which I often did to show neighbors whatever was in the sky at the time. It was early, the sky wasn't anywhere near dark yet, I don't recall the exact time.
I looked up and saw three satellites traveling across the sky together. 2 very bright, one very dim but very close to one of the brighter ones. Then it hit me what it was.
It was the first space shuttle mission to the Mir. The shuttle had undocked that morning and the Russians had left the Mir in their Soyuz capsule to record the event, and to come home if the worst occurred. First bright dot was the shuttle. Second bright dot was the Mir, the dimmest of the three was the Soyuz. All traveling in an area of about 15 degrees.
I pointed it out to the small group I had around the telescope, explained what it was, and said "there are 10 people right there on those lights". It got very quiet and we all watched in wonder.
Still gives me chills, guess I'm officially a nerd.
Anyone else got any good stories?
Matthew
http://www.deerrunobservatory.com/
It was July 4th, 1995. I had set up my 10"SCT in the driveway, which I often did to show neighbors whatever was in the sky at the time. It was early, the sky wasn't anywhere near dark yet, I don't recall the exact time.
I looked up and saw three satellites traveling across the sky together. 2 very bright, one very dim but very close to one of the brighter ones. Then it hit me what it was.
It was the first space shuttle mission to the Mir. The shuttle had undocked that morning and the Russians had left the Mir in their Soyuz capsule to record the event, and to come home if the worst occurred. First bright dot was the shuttle. Second bright dot was the Mir, the dimmest of the three was the Soyuz. All traveling in an area of about 15 degrees.
I pointed it out to the small group I had around the telescope, explained what it was, and said "there are 10 people right there on those lights". It got very quiet and we all watched in wonder.
Still gives me chills, guess I'm officially a nerd.
Anyone else got any good stories?
Matthew
http://www.deerrunobservatory.com/
Matthew
http://www.darkgeorgiaskies.com/
