Several hundred spacecraft now orbit around our planet.
Many of those in low earth orbit (LEO) are bright enough
to be seen by the naked eye as they streak across the
night sky.
Some of the largest spacecraft, such as the shuttle
and the Mir space station, have even been imaged
by amateur telescopes with considerable detail.
The first and most essential step in observing spacecraft
is obviously to know when and where to look. There are
now many satellite tracking programs, both online
and offline, that can give
you the sky coordinates for a given object at a given
time and location.
The easiest way to get started perhaps is to
use the Heavens Above online
program to find the time and coordinates of satellites
that are passing over your location tonight.
Remember to bookmark the prediction page that
is returned after you submit your location information.
The bookmark holds your location so that the next time
that you click on this bookmark, you will get the satellite
visibility page already setup for you.
As you get more involved in satellite observing, you
probably will want to use one of the offline
tracking programs, many of which are freeware. Many
of these provide star charting as well and thus can
lead you into general astronomy.
Satellite
Observation Information
Visual
Satellite Observer
The leading web site devoted to amateur observations
of satellites. Gobs of info on everything related to
seeing spacecraft passing overhead.
Amateur
Satellite Observers of Southeast Virginia
This group provides a page with lots of info and many
links related to satellite observing. Special emphasis
is given to Mir, Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS),
and Hubble transits. Some photos taken of Mir and shuttles
are given.
SatPasses
- Satellite Passes Over North American Cities
People in North America can use this site to find info
on passes of eight different spacecraft: the current or
upcoming Space Shuttle Mission, the Russian Space Station
Mir, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the Compton Gamma
Ray Observatory (CGRO), the Upper Atmosphere Research
Satellite (UARS), the Ocean Remote Sensing Satellite Seasat,
the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM), and
the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE).
Google Maps Tools
The Google
Map system can be used by outsiders to develop interesting
utilities with it. Here are Google map based tools that
track satellites:
Satellite
Tracker at SpaceWeather.com
provides a list for US and Canadian locations of upcoming
flyovers of spacecraft like the ISS and Bigelow Genesis
I and II.
Global
Flybys is available for other locations around
the world.
www.ezipsky.com
- astronomical viewing and spacecraft tracking via
the web or via cell phone text message
Space-Track
- US government site for access to space object
tracking data. Requires a free registration.
CelesTrak:
Important Notice - periodic updates on the
efforts to deal with the new US restrictions on
orbital tracking data.
Star Hustler
Naked-eye astronomy and satellite viewing. Based on
the PBS series.
Starshine
Student Satellite
These student
built satellites consist of a small globes covered
with mirrors (like a disco ball). The mirrors are
polished by students around the world. Students track
the satellites during the period they are in orbit
and record their observations online. Eventually the
orbit decays due to friction with the atmosphere.
The student data give information on the atmosphere
and the solar heating. This site provides nformation
on how to track the satellite:
Bigelow
Aerospace launched its first inflatable space habitat
prototype module - called Genesis-1 - on July 12, 2006.
Several more modules will follow it to orbit in the
coming years. Here are some resources on tracking and
observing these modules.
Genesis-1 has been labeled object 29252 by the U.S.
Space Command. It has the nternational Designation Code
of 2006-029-A. The module follows a 345 x 349 mile (555
x 561 kilometer) orbit and is at a 64.5 degree inclination.
Photos of spacecraft in low earth orbit
with amateur level telescopes (e.g. 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
have been made that provide enough detail to make out
features of the Mir space station and space shuttles.
Amateur astronomers can now follow the
progress of construction on the International
Space Station, which is already one of the brightest
objects in the nightsky.
Ron Dantowitz took the Mir image shown
at top. His Mir images and shuttle images were taken
from nearly 400km during the daytime with a 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain
telescope on a Meridian
Archimage mount.
Image of the Mir space station taken by Ron Dantowitz
during
daytime on the ground with a 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain
telescope
on a Meridian Archimage mount.
Meridian
Controls
Meridian provides satellite tracking systems for telescopes.
"...Meridian's proprietary astronomy and satellite
tracking mounts are so advanced that you can view
and photograph the Space Shuttle, Mir, and other satellites
in orbit- even during the daytime. See the solar panels
and modules of Mir before it burns up in the atmosphere.
Or watch up close as astronauts build the International
Space Station in orbit. Shuttle dockings, spacewalks,
Russian spy satellites and burned-out rocket stages
are now easily visible at the push of a button."
- Telescopic
Satellite Tracking
ISS
Simulator
This simulator from Philip
Masding, who with Mike
Tyrrell have made many ISS & Mir images, displays
the orientation of the station as it orbits. This can
be very useful in understanding what is seen in the typically
blurry images of the ISS.
The Iridium communications constellation
consists of 72 or so satellites built and controlled
by the Iridium
consortium led by Motorola. The initial constellation
was completed in May 1998.
Iridium
satellite. The flares occur when sunlight reflects off
the Main Antenna.
When these satellites pass overhead they
can give a bright flash, or flare, when seen
at just the right position with respect to the satellite
and the sun. This is caused by reflections off the main
antennas, not the solar panels.
There are now several web sites devoted
to this phenomena, which can be very striking. The sites
give information on finding where and when the flares
can be seen from a given location.
Data
Online
The Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S.
Naval Observatory provides this site of tables and
programs to provide such information as times of Sunrise,
Sunset, Moonrise, Moonset, and Twilight; Moon Illumination;
Eclipses; Positions of the Sun and Moon; Data for
Major Solar System Bodies and Bright Stars (see MICA
- Multi-Year Interactive Computer Almanac); and dates
of interest (e.g. Equinoxes, Solstices, etc.).
Navigator
Star Finder
Easy to run online Java program from Omar Reis that
displays the stars over your city or current location
in latitude/longitude.
U.S.
Gazetteer
Obtain your latitude/longitude of your house from
your U.S. zip code.
GPS
Section
Your GPS navigator will provide you with your current
latitude-longitude to very high accuracy.
Sun & Moon
Phase
of the Moon
Were you born under a full moon? Will your next camping
trip have a moonless sky to see the stars at their
brightest? Use this program from the US Navy to see
the phase of the moon for any day between 1800-2199
AD.
Sun,
Moon & Earth Applet
Cool online applet from Juergen
Giesen that displays a mapping of the current
position of the sun and moon with respect to the earch's
surface Also, shows the height in degrees above the
horizon vs time of day of the earth and moon for a
given location on earth.
Heavens-Above
(previously GSOC Satellite Predictions)
Online Program at German Space Observation Centre is an excellent and easy
to use source to obtain the latest information on satellites passing over
your location tonight. After providing the program with your location for
the first time, you should bookmark the page. The bookmark will then include
your location so that clicking on the bookmark will automatically give the
satellite data for your position.
Bester
Tracking Systems
Bester offers Unix software for Satellite Orbit Analysis and Tracking, Global
Positioning System, and Astrodynamics Applications.
CyberSky
Stephen M. Schimpf offers this shareware planetarium program for Win 3.1/95.Features
Distant Suns Mike Smithwicks astronomy package is for
".. casual skywatchers to seasoned amateur astronomers ... Distant
Suns is compatible with Windows 95,98, ME, NT and 2000, and Macintosh.
With Distant Suns you may view the sky at the time of your birth, watch
the sun set behind Saturn, land on Mars and follow newly discovered
comets."
Other features include : Different astronomical stories and tutorials
for each night of the year. Create your own "space movies". Print out
star charts. In depth information of each star and planet. Over 16 million
stars.-Event Alert system will warn you of any upcoming eclipses and meteor
showers.
FlyOver
FlyOver by Tom Sylvestor predicts satellite flyovers for virtually any place
on earth. It has scaleable map graphics and custom printouts. Downloading
current data and current tracking is free, but observer location selection
requires a registration fee.
InstantTrack
1.5 This powerful tracking program is offered by Amsat and proceeds
from its purchase goes toward supporting Amsat projects.
LogSat
Professional
Satellite tracking software for Windows. Track up to 2000 satellites.
MacMission
Control Center MacMission sells the MacSPOC
spacecraft tracking software for Apple Macintosh 68k and Power PC machines.
Documentation and demos are available for downloading.
LunarPhase V2.62
(Shareware) - "Displays real time information and graphics about
the moon (or for a selected date). Contains many charts and diagrams,
predicts eclipses, produces a range of printouts."
LunarPhase
Pro (Commercial) - "More comprehensive that LunarPhase V2.62;
includes a Lunar Explorer screen which allows the identification of
lunar features from dropdown lists or by clicking on a map of the moon;
maps of near and far side features as well as polar regions included;
Orthographic and Mercator maps can be viewed and printed; calculates,
displays and and animate libration effects; includes database of lunar
features."
JupSat95-
"Displays the positions of Jupiter's satellites in real time (or
for a selected date). Also calculates Great Red Spot Transit times and
displays satellite track diagrams. Full details can be found at: This
application is freeware." - Gary Nugent
OrbMaster
2.0
OrbMaster 2.0 is a powerful orbital tracking program for Windows systems
from Super Secret Projects:.
"..shows you the universe, our solar system, the Earth, and man-made
satellites of all kinds. This new application allows the layman to understand
spatial interactions, astronautical, astrodynamics, celestial events,
orbital mechanics, and more."
PREDICT
- A Satellite Tracking/Orbital Prediction Program
This program is "an open-source, multi-user satellite tracking and
orbital prediction program written under the Linux operating system by
John A. Magliacane, KD2BD. PREDICT is free software. Users may redistribute
it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the
License or any later version."
Available for Linux/Unix and for DOS under Windows.
Satscape
Freeware satellite tracking programfor the PC. Developed by Scott Hather
in the UK.
The program
"...currently track 500 satellites simultaneously, with Various
graphically-rich Map Views with ground tracks and footprints, Horizon
view, tabular list and more. Its highly graphical, and has speech to
announce satellites as they come into range. "
In addition:
"Passes over your part of the world can be predicted weeks in
advance in a matter of seconds. You don't have to use or have access
to the satellites, as it will even predict when the 150 'Brightest'
satellites pass over, so you can SEE them."
SaVi
Satellite constellation visualisation program from Univ.of Minnesota
Hughes Aerospace, for example, used it recently to plan the maneuvers
of a communications satellite, which was placed in a useless orbit by
a fualty launcher, to use lunar swingbys to put it into a viable orbit.
Not so long ago this program cost several thousand dollars. Surprisingly,
though, it has been made available now as freeware. The company says it
will make money by selling sophisticated add-ons for particular applications.
Sienna
Software Inc. - Starry Night
Full featured astronomy program with over 19 million celestial objects.
Includes satellite tracking and addition of new satellites. Can control
telescopes. FAQManual
SkyMap
Software
A planetarium and star-charting program for Microsoft Windows 95/98 and
Windows NT4. "Written by astronomers, for astronomers." InfoDemo
David H. Ransom
O offers the STSPLUS program for DOS to track the shuttles and also satellites
using NASA/NORAD 2-Line Orbital Elements. Shows position and ground track.
WinOrbit
This freeware program offers "..satellite orbit prediction, tracking,
and radio communication, with emphasis on low-cost and educational approaches
for the do-it-yourselfer or hobbyist."
More
Astronomy/Satellite Programs & Stores
AIPS++ - Astronomical
Information Processing System - C++ library of programs to analyze astronomy
data.
MacDopplerPRO
- satellite tracking on the Applet Mac
MAXCLOCK
- A high-precision digital astronomical software clock
Orbiter
- A free space flight simulator - "ORBITER is a realistic space
simulation using proper physics for the modelling of planetary motion,
gravitational fields, ..."
Orbitron is "a
satellite tracking system for radio amateur and observing purposes."
Created by Sebastian Stoff.
John Walker's
Earth Viewer John Walker, the inventor of AutoCad,
now writes wonderful freeware such as this program that provides satellite
orbital prediction as well as other astronomical displays.
