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Image of day: Space station & Discovery overhead
The space shuttle Discovery is seen from the International Space Station as the two orbital spacecraft accomplish their relative separation on March 7. During a post undocking fly-around, the crew of each vessel photographed the opposing craft. Source: NASA
Look quick! According to Frank Roylance at the Baltimore Sun, both the International Space Station and shuttle Discovery - pictured above - will be simultaneously visible this evening:
If the clouds hold off tonight, we'll see a really interesting flyover by the International Space Station [ISS]. The ISS will rise above the northwest horizon at 7:23 p.m., moving toward the zenith (straight up). If our timing is right, the (dimmer) shuttle Discovery will appear just ahead of the ISS, as its crew prepares for landing Wednesday. The ISS will pass almost directly overhead at 7:26 p.m., then slip into the Earth's shadow at 7:27, vanishing near the bright star Procyon.
Skies are at least partially clear...so maybe you'll be able to catch a view. Let us know if you see it!
Website for tracking Space Station position.
Remember you can offer suggestions and submissions for the image of the day by emailing us at weathergang@wpni.com
By
Jason Samenow
| March 8, 2011; 7:00 PM ET
Categories:
Latest, Science
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Posted by: wfyurasko | March 8, 2011 7:28 PM | Report abuse
So so cool! Thanks for sharing. man, wish I could see things from that perspective sometime...
Posted by: rumbly45 | March 8, 2011 7:28 PM | Report abuse
Saw both spacecraft very clearly from the Fairfax suburbs. Amazing sight!
Posted by: bud_49 | March 8, 2011 7:30 PM | Report abuse
Just saw them in Rockville - perfect view from our NW facing balcony! So cool, thanks for posting this! Although I have a possibly stupid question..the brighter object appeared first and then a dimmer one, a fair distance behind it. The article sounded like the Discovery (dimmer) should have been first, but the dimmer object was definitely second.
Posted by: camb67 | March 8, 2011 7:30 PM | Report abuse
Caught the link 2 minutes before it appeared. It looked like a star in the sky moving at extraordinary speed, straight up and overhead.
Posted by: rfritts1 | March 8, 2011 7:31 PM | Report abuse
Even dumber was not asking the question after announcing I had one...which object was which?
Posted by: camb67 | March 8, 2011 7:31 PM | Report abuse
I saw it! Clear as a bell. Thank you so much for telling us about this. Grabbed my binoculars but not enough time to focus them, but it did seem sort of doubled-up and not a single point of light. My husband came outside just in time to see it dip into shadow. It was really moving!
Posted by: MeganO | March 8, 2011 7:33 PM | Report abuse
Beautiful clear view from the NW as it cleared the Blue Ridge until it vanished in the SE sky...
Posted by: maggy1 | March 8, 2011 7:36 PM | Report abuse
The sky was really clear for me to see it. Too bad its Discovery's last mission. Only 2 shuttle missions left.
Posted by: cubscapsfan | March 8, 2011 7:45 PM | Report abuse
Spectacular flyover, easily visible from Chantilly.
Posted by: beachman | March 8, 2011 7:48 PM | Report abuse
my kids and I stood outside and watched them both go past. Very cool.
Posted by: msampson1 | March 8, 2011 7:49 PM | Report abuse
My whole church left our delicious pancake supper behind to go out in the cold and watch this amazing flyover! What a great end to a fantastic Mardi Gras!!
Posted by: arcarr316 | March 8, 2011 8:07 PM | Report abuse
wow i missed by 10 minutes.... will it make another pass tonight?
Posted by: snowlover31 | March 8, 2011 8:26 PM | Report abuse
Thanks a ton GWG! I read the post at 7:23 and sprinted out the door. I saw both fly right over the national cathedral. VERY COOL!!
Posted by: bt_134 | March 8, 2011 9:09 PM | Report abuse
This site is good for listing potential sightings of the ISS:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/skywatch.cgi?country=United+States
Posted by: spgass1 | March 8, 2011 10:39 PM | Report abuse
Thanks for all of these reports! Wish I had posted this earlier, but glad I got it out when I did so some folks could enjoy!
Posted by: Jason-CapitalWeatherGang | March 8, 2011 10:57 PM | Report abuse
Hello all from Laurel MD. Read Jason's original post at 7.25, then rushed out front just in time to spot the ISS and Discovery passing by ever so quickly straight overhead. Bloody glad to have seen that rare passage - wicked! For this incorrigible snow fancier, it quite nearly made up for our lack of a proper snowstorm all winter long... well, not really, but we'll take what we can get then, yeah? Carry on the super reporting job, lads!
Posted by: NastyBrit | March 9, 2011 1:25 AM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Thank you so much for posting this, we just watched it!