Politics & Government
Look Up At 5:03 a.m. Thursday: It's The International Space Station!
Hey early risers! Los Altans will have four minutes to view the International Space Station overhead on its orbit around the Earth.
The International Space Station is back! Did you know you can see it orbiting right over Los Altos? For just a couple of minutes, beginning at 5:03 a.m. Thursday morning, is one of those times, so early-risers may get a chance to spy the station with the help of binoculars.
If you take a picture, be sure to share it here!
Find out what's happening in Los Altoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Space buffs know this, and there are a lot in this valley, with NASA Ames just down the road. No special equipment is needed, and, in fact, says Starry Skies Network, which has these viewing tips, a telescope would be an impediment. NASA's Glenn Research Center posts these tips.
Look up at 5:03 a.m. It should be visible for four minutes, appearing in the north sky, and disappearing in the East-Southeast. As the third-brightest object in the sky, NASA promises it is easy to see, if you know where to look.
Find out what's happening in Los Altoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
So here's where that is. NASA has supplied the following information via "Spot the Shuttle:"
Time: Thu Apr 04 5:03 AM, Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 53 degrees, Appears: N, Disappears: ESE
Universe Today has a great beginners' guide to viewing, which explains why you see the station at different times and orientations, and how viewings occur roughly every six weeks.
Who's up there? According to NASA's Space Station site, Expedition 35 currently consists of Commander Chris Hadfield (U.S.A.) Flight Engineer Tom Washburn (U.S.A.), Flight Engineer Roman Romanenko (Russia), Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (U.S.A.), Flight Engineer Alexander Mizurkin (Russia), and Flight Engineer Pavel Vinogradov (Russia) is Just a week ago, three new crew members arrived on the Soyuz TMA-08M.
If you want alerts of when the space station will be orbiting overhead, sign up for alerts at NASA's "Spot The Station" site.
Also on Los Altos Patch:
Look Up At 7 p.m. Tuesday Night: It's The International Space Station!
Look Up At 6:20 p.m. Wednesday Night: It's The International Space Station!
UPDATE: Where to See Space Shuttle Endeavour Flyover
VIDEO: Endeavour Flies Over Mountain View and Moffett Field
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
