International Space Station and STS-129 II

On Wednesday evening(Nov 25th), the ISS and Space Shuttle STS-129 had another favorable flyover (SE Idaho). This time, the Shuttle had just separated from the ISS in preparation of a Friday return to Earth. I always love to watch the ISS flyover, but it is a special occasion when the Shuttle and Space Station are separated and flying in formation.

On Wednesday we set up our observing site at the soccer fields just north of our house. The flyover started to the NW and ended to the SE.

The ISS was just ahead of the Shuttle. The path splits the constellation Andromeda. If you look "real" close you can see the smudge of M31 the Andromeda Galaxy!

Follow the link to orient yourself with the starts in the picture to the constellation Andromeda. Hint: ISS and Shuttle slice Andromeda in half.

Madison, Raegan and Kennedy enjoy the flyover. I told them to stand still and point for this 25 second exposure. Can you see the cars passing on the street (Olympus Drive) just in front of the houses?



While I was out, I took about an 8 minute exposure of the sky facing North. In the center is the "Celestial North Pole". With the Moon and city lights, the image was pretty washed out.