I mean,strong enough to really see them up-close.
2006-09-10 07:35:26 · 4 answers · asked by mitchegen 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
You can see the satellites with your naked eyes as a moving "star" in the sky.
To see any detail, you do, of course, need a telescope.
Here is the ISS photographed by an amatuer astronomer. http://www.analemma.de/english/iss01a.html
2006-09-10 16:38:05 · answer #1 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to see a fair amount of detail on the ISS and Space Shuttle at 200x or so. With smaller satellites, you could probably make out solar panels and other conspicuous details.
Computer controlled SCTs (Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes) in the 8 to 12 inch range are popular with amateurs for viewing and photographing satellites.
2006-09-10 15:50:36 · answer #2 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fergit it mitch! You can't afford it. The telescope would have to be so powerful that even the slightest jiggle would knock off target. It would have to use powerful gyroscopes to stablize it on all axes and have to have a very, very precise tracking drive motor in order to track the satellite across the sky. The only one you might be able to see with an affordable telescope would be the International Space Station.
2006-09-10 14:39:42 · answer #3 · answered by Albannach 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Even if you had one strong enough, tracking them would be very hard. They move along smartly ya know...
2006-09-10 14:39:35 · answer #4 · answered by o_r_y_g_u_n 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋