Posts: 11,152
Threads: 758
Joined: Sep 2012
The lights seen over Oahu on the last two nights have been identified as a group from Elon Musk's Starlink multi-satellite launch. The satellites are currently in close proximity, but will soon increase in distance from each other as they move into their permanent orbits.
If you'd like to spot them in formation as they pass over Puna tonight:
Thursday, Nov 14th
Begin: 6:39 PM
End: 6:47 PM
Rising in the NW
Setting in the SE
Magnitude 2.0 so not extremely bright, but visible with the naked eye
There are three links at Heaven's Above with more info including a map of their path:
https://www.heavens-above.com/
The Starlink launch took place after the boom heard in Puna last Thursday night 11/7, so the two incidents are definitely unrelated.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 11,152
Threads: 758
Joined: Sep 2012
The third Starlink launch is in orbit and the next pass over Puna MIGHT be Jan 8, Wednesday, at 6:25 AM moving from west-north-west to south-south-east:
https://www.heavens-above.com
A few keen eyed observers already spotted them early this morning (Tuesday):
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/01/07...aii-skies/
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 11,152
Threads: 758
Joined: Sep 2012
11-02-2020, 08:57 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-02-2020, 09:30 PM by HereOnThePrimalEdge.)
On November 2, 2000, the first permanent crew entered the International Space Station. Today, people have orbited continuously for 20 years above our planet.
Unfortunately the ISS is not in a position for viewing from Puna at the moment, but it will pass over us four times; 9:57 AM, 11:33 AM, 9:34 PM, and 11:09 PM.
I've spent many hours over the last 20 years gardening and tending my East Hawaii yard, trimming the hibiscus hedge, cutting low ironwood branches, digging sweet potatoes, and dragging coconut palm fronds into an ever growing pile. But today I'll remember to look up occasionally. We live in a much bigger world than we generally recognize.
Posts: 1,080
Threads: 51
Joined: Jan 2014
A good article on it:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/...rce=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits
Posts: 11,152
Threads: 758
Joined: Sep 2012
One of the astronauts on the International Space Station posted a photo of Hawaii this afternoon. Big Island is prominently displayed on the right. I thought it was a beautiful afternoon down here, in my yard, and it looks just as good from way up there:
https://twitter.com/astro_soichi/status/...92033?s=21
Posts: 1,630
Threads: 106
Joined: Sep 2017
"Big Island residents can spot the International Space Station (ISS) tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 9, (depending on clouds). It will be visible beginning at 7:06 p.m. The station will be visible for approximately three minutes at a maximum height of 84 degrees. The station will appear 11 degrees above the northwest part of the sky and disappear 75 degrees above the south southeast part of the sky."
And it might not even be cloudy!
https://bigislandgazette.com/spot-the-in...tonight-3/
Certainty will be the death of us.
Posts: 2,900
Threads: 489
Joined: Mar 2006
Watched it pass. Crystal clear night this evening. Right over our house in HPP moving really fast.
Posts: 11,152
Threads: 758
Joined: Sep 2012
Thanks kalianna,
The ISS was bright tonight! Zipped right past Mars, then faded red as it flew into the earth’s shadow.
Posts: 1,630
Threads: 106
Joined: Sep 2017
It's one of the only times I've ever been able to see it! Hazy here so I didn't see it until it turned red half past mars. I didn't know it was the earth's shadow that caused it. Thanks for that.
Certainty will be the death of us.
Posts: 4,991
Threads: 83
Joined: Feb 2009
Thanks, that was a good one.
