05-09-2021, 08:42 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-12-2021, 02:21 AM by HereOnThePrimalEdge.)
Chinese CZ-5B rocket body:
TomK said: It was interesting watching different organizations claiming where it would come down and not getting it right.
I agree, it was difficult sorting through the bad info. Jonathan McDowell @planet4589, an astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics really had his finger on the pulse. The official Russian Space Agency Roscosmos even lifted one of his maps without attribution, and he was not entirely amused. More Chinese space station modules will be launched, possibly with the same post separation rocket body problem so planet4589 on Twitter is a good place to watch for reliable info.
Tianhe-1:
This is the first module of the Chinese space station which was launched by the CZ-5B rocket. The module successfully entered it's proper orbit, and is unmanned at this time. It might be visible for a minute today on the horizon, but I won't list details as it's unlikely we can spot it. After that:
May 10, Monday
6:33 PM - this is early evening so the sky won't be dark, especially in the west. Best chance to see it might be in the NE at the end of it's pass
Rises: SW, passes low in the SE sky
Sets: NE
Magnitude: 1.2
Updated
May 11, Tuesday
7:51 PM - this could be a good, relatively bright, easy to spot pass
Rises: SW
Sets: NE
Magnitude: 0.9
TomK said: It was interesting watching different organizations claiming where it would come down and not getting it right.
I agree, it was difficult sorting through the bad info. Jonathan McDowell @planet4589, an astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics really had his finger on the pulse. The official Russian Space Agency Roscosmos even lifted one of his maps without attribution, and he was not entirely amused. More Chinese space station modules will be launched, possibly with the same post separation rocket body problem so planet4589 on Twitter is a good place to watch for reliable info.
Tianhe-1:
This is the first module of the Chinese space station which was launched by the CZ-5B rocket. The module successfully entered it's proper orbit, and is unmanned at this time. It might be visible for a minute today on the horizon, but I won't list details as it's unlikely we can spot it. After that:
May 10, Monday
6:33 PM - this is early evening so the sky won't be dark, especially in the west. Best chance to see it might be in the NE at the end of it's pass
Rises: SW, passes low in the SE sky
Sets: NE
Magnitude: 1.2
Updated
May 11, Tuesday
7:51 PM - this could be a good, relatively bright, easy to spot pass
Rises: SW
Sets: NE
Magnitude: 0.9