ISS, Tiangong, Satellites Over Puna

[TomK]

I'm surprised you saw anything! I spent the evening observing thick cirrus before giving up.

[rocketman]

Got to see it for about 4 minutes, nice!

[TomK]

Again, just a reminder for tomorrow (Thursday) evening.

Rises in the NW at around 18:37, highest point at 18:39:39 (43 degrees above the horizon) in the SW, sets at 18:42:46 in the SSE. Mag -2.6 so quite bright.

Sky track: https://goo.gl/m8Ab1j
Ground track: https://goo.gl/Wku6eV

[TomK]

Too many clouds and saw nothing. Then got soaked walking back to the house. Nice.

[mermaid53]

hahaha! Yup, same for us. Lots of clouds but we had hoped there'd be a parting of the clouds somewhere to get a glimpse. Staring up into the sky and the raindrops came and we ran for cover. Mahalo Tom for the heads up. Maybe next time...

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I managed to stay dry and miss the rainshower, but too many clouds here also. The only clear patch of sky was west toward Keaau, but on edge of the horizon well below the ISS's path this evening.

“Facts fall from the poetic observer as ripe seeds.” -Henry Thoreau

[TomK]

Er, thanks!

[TomK]

There's an extremely bright Iridium flare occurring tomorrow evening (Saturday 21st October). It occurs at 18:08:02 so the sky won't be very dark, but if there are no clouds it will be easily visible and still very bright. The flare will occur in the NNE at an elevation of 64 degrees above the horizon in the constellation Cygnus the Swan (so quite high up in the sky). HPP, Orchidland, Ainaloa, Pahoa and Kalapana should all get great views if the weather cooperates.

Sky track: https://goo.gl/EaU8GT

Ground track of the flare center: https://goo.gl/Up98t9

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

And if you stay up late Saturday night, well after the Iridium flare, the Orionid Meteor Shower will be at it's peak after midnight. The Orionid meteors are particles from Halley's Comet, and should be easy to spot since the moon won't be too bright this weekend.

“Facts fall from the poetic observer as ripe seeds.” -Henry Thoreau

[TomK]

I tried, but there was one small cumulus cloud right where the flare was supposed to occur and didn't see a thing. Not been a great week...