[APML] Geminid meteors a bust from ISS

[Robert Reeves <reeves10@swbell.net>]

Greetings,

Don Pettit, our resident astrophotographer aboard the ISS, had a free moment
to shoot me a note about last week's Geminids.  It did not work for him up
there because of the particular attitude the entire space station is
maintaining.  There are also periods of time when the station is in
continuous sunlight due to the inclination of its orbit matching the solar
illuminated portions of the Earth.  (This also happed to the old Mir space
station which followed a similar orbit.  Us satellite observers called this
period the time of the "Mir marathon" because it was always visible and
never entered the Earth's shadow for several weeks.)  So its not like the
station is in sunlight for 45 minutes, then in shadow for 45 minutes during
each orbit.  But he does say the stars are quite visible.  Here is what he
said in part...

------------

Robert:

We have been in a solar inertial attitude which gives great horizon views
but does not allow us to look at a darkened earth.  This made looking for
the geminids impossible.  It does give you a good view of the stars.

Keep me informed of anything interesting you think I might be able to see.

---------------

He is geared up for solar photography and can play with a simple barn door
type of tracker.  Anyone have any suggestions to send him about targets
through the big window in the Destiny module?

Robert Reeves                      reeves10@swbell.net
520 Rittiman Rd.                   www.robertreeves.com
San Antonio, Texas 78209    210-828-9036
USA                                     29.484  98.440  200 meters




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