Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

ISS To Become Second Brightest-Object In the Sky

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the bright-future-of-the-iss dept.

Matt_dk writes "Move over, Morning Star. Once Canadarm2 helps install the fourth and final set of solar array wings to the International Space Station later this month, the Station will surpass Venus as the brightest object in the night sky, second only to the Moon. The Space Shuttle Discovery is set to deliver the power-generating solar panels and Starboard 6 (S6) truss segment to the ISS on the 125th mission in the Shuttle program, known as STS-119/15A (slated for launch on March 11)."

3 of 243 comments (clear)

  1. 2nd brightest? not quite. by lecithin · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes, the ISS is bright and will be brighter.

    This still doesn't rival the brightness of an Iridium flare.

    Predictions of the ISS and Iridium flares are provided at http://www.heavens-above.com/

    Then there have been comets and supernova that have been visible during daylight. Yea, I think the ISS is cool to observe, but don't call it 2nd brightest after the moon.

    --
    It could be worse, it could be Monday.
    1. Re:2nd brightest? not quite. by interkin3tic · · Score: 4, Informative

      Plus, you know, THE SUN. (I know the summary was more specific, but the title was not.)

    2. Re:2nd brightest? not quite. by pongo000 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Sadly, Mike Tyrrell's page is gone

      Is this not his site?