[AstroNet] Planetarium - shuttle docking with Space Station visible from SA this weekend (?)

Fri Aug 28 13:09:21 SAST 2009

International Space Station this weekend
The International Space Station (ISS) passes directly over South Africa
on Sunday evening (Aug 30th) - possibly accompanied by the shuttle
Discovery!  Discovery is scheduled to launch Friday evening (SA time) to
deliver crew and equipment to the orbiting station, but has been delayed
twice this week due to a technical problem.

The orbit of the ISS takes it over southern Africa a few times each
month.  On Sunday, it passes directly over Cape Town, Bloemfontein and
Gauteng, moving towards Zimbabwe.  Start looking for it at about 6:48pm
if you're near Cape Town, 6:51pm for  Gauteng.  
Look towards the south-west, for a very bright "star" that is moving
slowly up over your head, if you are under the path of the ISS.  
If you're to the north of the path, the ISS will appear in the
south-south-west, and will move upwards across the sky to your left.  If
you're to the south of the path, the ISS will appear in the
west-south-west, and will move upwards across the sky to your right.  

The ISS will be visible from all of South Africa - map of where to look
is at www.planetarium.co.za
If the Discovery shuttle does launch today, it may be visible as a
fainter "star" traveling with the ISS on Sunday as it approaches for
docking on Monday - we don't often get to see this, so look out for it!
For shuttle launch updates, see
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

Invitation from the Stellenbosch Stargazers
The Stargazers Club will be viewing the night skies at Die Braak (or
village green) in Stellenbosch on Friday, 28 August and Saturday, 29
August.  Die Braak is located near the corner of Mill and Plein Street,
with plenty of parking available within walking distance. Remember to
dress warmly and take note of the cloud cover on the day, as overcast
conditions will prevent activities.  We'll be available from 19:00 till
late, everyone welcome to join in. 

Introduction to Astronomy 
The Planetarium will be repeating this series of four introductory
sessions on Monday evenings, starting Sept 21st.  Cost is R160pp.  More
info and registration forms at www.planetarium.co.za

Next New Moon visible on Sept 19th?
Next new moon is at 8:44pm on September 18th.  The Moon is not visible
until it has moved on a bit in its orbit, to the new crescent phase.
The sighting of the September young moon marks the end of Ramadan, and
the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr, so many people will be looking out for
the young crescent.

By the time the Sun sets in Cape Town on September 19th, the young moon
will be 22 hours old, and still a very thin crescent.  Normally the Moon
needs to be at least 24hr old at sunset to be visible.  However, this
month two effects make it possible that this very young crescent will be
sighted on the 19th: 
* we are half-way between "eclipse seasons", so the Moon is orbiting
parallel to the ecliptic (the path of the Sun);
* we are at equinox, so the ecliptic is at right-angles to our horizon
This means the Moon sets later than normal - 60 minutes after sunset on
the 19th (for Cape Town) - which increases the chances of a sighting.
So Moon-watchers should be looking for a thinner-than-usual but
higher-than-usual new crescent.

Regards
Claire Flanagan
Jhb Planetarium
www.planetarium.co.za
011-717-1390
info.planet at wits.ac.za

Claire Flanagan

Wits Planetarium

011-717-1391 / 9

076-744-4735

011-339-2926 (fax)

www.planetarium.co.za

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