Watching the ISS on an evening with few clouds

[badgermind]

This evening we had an unusually clear sky in Stromness, so following one of the regular reminders from Colin the Mathmo I walked down towards the Ness to see if I could see the 17:37 flyover of the International Space Station. Once it had disappeared I carried on as far as the George Mackay Brown memorial garden, with a clear view of Mars, Jupiter, and a waxing crescent moon above Hoy.

Comments

Wow!

[ysabetwordsmith]

That sounds lovely.

I'm in central Illinois, United States of America, in rural territory so we get pretty good night skies when it's clear. Winter is very sparkly.

Re: Wow!

[badgermind]

We have good night skies here when it's clear, usually about once every couple of weeks. Although the houses and pier near me give out quite a lot of light, it's a short walk to find much less light pollution.

Re: Wow!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Here it's often hazy in warm weather, but in cold weather there are many crisp clear nights. Our house is on the edge of nowhere, so probably about category 4. I have seen category 5 on vacation -- we did a star walk in the Badlands once, it was just breathtaking. But when my city friends come out here, they gawk at the sky. "Look at all the stars!" I think it's sad that all the light pollution has made it so most people have never seen a real night sky.

Re: Wow!

[badgermind]

I spent the night before my 21st birthday wild camping on the slopes of An Teallach. It was a clear night and there was one light only in sight from a farm a couple of miles away, so I looked up and suddenly realised what the Milky Way was referring to.

[cmcmck]

Of topic (although not entirely as I know Orkney well) but thanks for subscribing.

Can I ask you to take a look at my sticky intro post and if you're cool with what you find there,I'll open up for you as my blog is kept partly f-locked!

[badgermind]

I'm cool with all of that and I'm very trans-friendly 🙂

Re: Wow!

[ysabetwordsmith]

That is wonderful! :D

On a decent night here, the Milky Way is visible as a faint haze. On a good night, it's a brighter swath with some visible stars. On a crystal night, it's quite glittery.

Out in the Badlands, it was all stars. Vast and breathtaking.

I think people need things that are awe-inspiring.

[cmcmck]

Good!

I'll open things up for you.

I don't filter, so what you'll see is what there is!