Right now there are 10 people in space as the latest Space
Shuttle mission to re-wire the International Space Station comes to a close.
Last night (Tuesday at 10pm) the Shuttle Discovery undocked from I.S.S. It will
land on Friday night around 9pm. This is perfect timing for Ireland as I.S.S.
starts a 15 day series of evening passes across our sky tonight
(Wed.)!
Both craft will be visible to the naked eye as extremely
bright star-like objects crossing the sky in a couple of minutes for at least
the next three nights, and the weekend if the Shuttle landing is delayed as can
often happen due to poor weather at the Florida landing site.
On board the Space Shuttle are 7 astronauts, while on
board I.S.S. are 2 men and 1 woman who will spend all of Christmas and New Years
in space hurtling around the Earth every 90 minutes at nearly 30,000 km per
hour.
Tonight, Wednesday Dec. 20, Astronomy Ireland is
predicting that the "space chase" will take place in Irish skies, for all to see
at 5:19pm. On this first pass you will have to look
very low in the southeast but it will be higher up on the following nights. Once
Discovery lands the even bigger I.S.S. will still be visible every night until
Jan. 3rd and, what is more, we predict that it will pass in front of the Moon
for some of you.
The "space chase" itself is a rare and spectacular sight,
a passage in front of the Moon is extremely rare - we know of only one sighting
from Ireland in the past, ever.
Daily predictions will be available from the society on a
special telephone Newsline on 1550-111-442
(calls cost 95cent per minute). In N.Ireland dial 09001
88 19 50 (60p/min). See past emails as to why we still use a premium
rate number (it's less than a euro to get the prediction after all and proceeds
help promote astronomy in Ireland, other reasons too).
By 12 noon each day this Newsline will give the exact time
to see the Space Station every evening until January 3rd, plus news of the
landing, the space chase and where to see I.S.S. pass in front of the
Moon.
Astronomy Ireland is urging everyone in Ireland to go
outdoors each evening until Jan. 3rd and see this brilliant spectacle, so please
tell everyone you know.
BRIEF OTHER NEWS:
Pat Kenny Show - Geminids, Christmas Telescope
Advice.
We gave him our 10x50 binoculars as a Christmas
Present
Giant sunspot last week spawned aurora sightings around
the world, mostly cloudy here.
On Christmas Day aim your new scope at Uranus just above
the Moon (see our December magazine) and Saturn rising at 9pm.
GIFT IDEAS:
- Beginners Evening Classes enrolling now for Jan. 31
start
- Give a Gift Subscription to A.I.'s magazine
(40euro)
- Telescopes for Christmas - beware inferior models, order
from A.I.
ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and
information