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ISS, Tiangong, Satellites Over Puna
#71
Paul - yes, you'd be looking towards MK to see the ISS as it rises, although the highest point will appear to be above Mauna Loa. At an elevation of 70 degrees it'll be high in the sky at that point.

If you want to estimate where it'll be in the sky at the highest point, start by facing Mauna Loa. Extend your arm and form a shaka with your fingers (i.e., extend your thumb and little finger outwards as much as you can). Point your arm straight up so your thumbnail is right above your head (the zenith) and your little finger is pointing towards Mauna Loa. The distance on sky between the tip of your little finger and thumbnail is about ten degrees. Double that distance and that's roughly where the ISS will be at 19:47.
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#72
Apologies - been a long time since I helped someone estimate angular distance on the sky - my memory failed me!

A clenched fist at arms length covers about 10 degrees.

Check this place for info:

http://www.fortworthastro.com/beginner1.html

Here's another tip: never ask a pro astronomer where some constellation is when looking at the night sky, they'll rarely know! Amateur astronomers tend to know the night sky much better. The pros tend to concentrate on the physics.
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#73
Thanks! Now just hoping for some clear skies, hopefully the sky is dumping all of its rain today.
I don't think I've ever seen the ISS before. I don't think I've ever seen a satellite in Hawaii either.
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#74
Paul - plenty of satellites pass over Hawaii. The best time to see them is the couple of hours when the sky gets dark after sunset and the same couple of hours before the sky brightens before dawn. Any passing overhead between those times will be in the Earth's shadow and invisible. Your eyes need to be dark adapted, as some are faint, but are obvious as they'll be moving slowly and will often suddenly fade out as they enter the shadow.

HOTPE posted a really good link a few months ago for tracking satellites and debris over Hawaii (and anywhere else):

http://patriciogonzalezvivo.github.io/Li...0/-157.852
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#75
Paul, when I was there last I drove up to the Mauna Loa Observatory parking lot. There was little light pollution if you go just around the corner from the building. If you are there right after dusk, as it gets dark you will see some go by that it seems like you could jump up and catch. Plus it's really cool if you're there when they fire off their green laser.


Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
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#76
This is also a great site for what's in orbit above us, but does need a decent internet connection.

http://stuffin.space/
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#77
Looking good, so far, for tonight, 7:43pm to 7:48pm
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#78
Wow, that really is a good site! Thanks Tom.

http://stuffin.space/
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#79
Heads up! T-10 mikes...

ISS 07:43:22 pm NNW 07:46:37 72° -3.9 (very bright)
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#80
Excellent way view here in HPP. I also saw something flashing just beforehand, one of those iridium flashes?
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