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Credit & Copyright: Doug Murray
Explanation:
Still under construction, the
International
Space Station is literally becoming one
of
the brightest, fastest moving stars in the heavens.
Despite illuminated clouds and bright light from a
nearly full moon (lower left),
this 5 minute time exposure easily captures
the Space Station's trail as it arcs through early evening skies
above Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA
on December 9.
At the time,
the
Space Shuttle Endeavour had undocked
and moved away from the orbiting platform,
the shuttle crew having just completed
the installation
of large solar panels to power the Space Station's systems.
Sunlight glinting off the large, shiny panels is likely the source
of the brief flare visible along the track.
Astrophotographer Doug Murray and colleague report that both
Shuttle and Space Station
were
visible separately and on
close inspection
of this image they do produce distinct, parallel arcs.
At the extreme right hand edge of the picture,
the
trails pass
very near the brightest "star" in the night sky,
Venus.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: space shuttle Endeavour - international space station - space station
Publications with words: space shuttle Endeavour - international space station - space station
See also: