International Space Station Flyover

Hey All,

Just managed my first semi-decent/recognizable ISS silouette. Didn't think I'd see it from my yard, so jumped out the front of the house onto the footpath which meant I had to use my telelens (no tripod) to capture the ISS as it passed over.

It was so cloudy to the South I thought I'd miss out but then the sky opened up over head and I ended up running through the house to the clear patch of sky where Orion was to snap a few pics. Could have used my scope in the end after all, hahaha.

Anywho, best two pics from the set with an "equivalent" 1600mm focal length. Guessing the solar panels are edge on? At the 7 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions?

Let's say, 400mm + 2x + 2x + camera crop factor 1.6x = 2650mm and it is still small and not much clear.

I will use my scope that has 2700mm and Barlow 2X maybe or 3X to go up to 8100mm focal length and see if i can have a better results, i was thinking about all targets up in the sky except satellites including this ISS, maybe one day i will give it a try.

Hey Tareq, would be great to see what you can resolve with 8100mm length! It's tricky tracking the ISS manually ... my advice, ensure you have very accurate finder scope alignment.

Also, I have to disagree with your math. Or at least agree to disagree.

2x 2x 400mm = 1600mm (effective focal length)

2x 2x 400mm x 1.6 crop = 2560mm (field of view)

The length doesn't change because I'm on a crop sensor.

legoman_iac wrote in post #18599952
Hey Tareq, would be great to see what you can resolve with 8100mm length! It's tricky tracking the ISS manually ... my advice, ensure you have very accurate finder scope alignment.

Also, I have to disagree with your math. Or at least agree to disagree.

2x 2x 400mm = 1600mm (effective focal length)

2x 2x 400mm x 1.6 crop = 2560mm (field of view)

The length doesn't change because I'm on a crop sensor.

Ok, focal length or field of view still small, won't fight about that, i almost forgot about crop factors as i don't use DSLRs much and i only use full frame, so let's say 2000mm as average, not much yet.

I know that ISS is moving fast, i really feel i won't have good results, but i will give it a try one day, not in rush.

I was like a stupid when i was a baby or a kid that all satellites are not moving, they are still in their locations.

Well, there are some geosynchronous satellites, which do not move in relation to our ground position, if that's what you were thinking? Some sats are super fast, and move across the sky in a few minutes, let's agree to disagree again, and say you are right and wrong? Hehehe.

legoman_iac wrote in post #18600617
Well, there are some geosynchronous satellites, which do not move in relation to our ground position, if that's what you were thinking? Some sats are super fast, and move across the sky in a few minutes, let's agree to disagree again, and say you are right and wrong? Hehehe.

Ok, i really don't care much about sats, maybe one day i will think to capture one or ISS, and thanks for the details.

Good image done by yourself.