Last weekend i was able to watch the ISS cross the sky where i live, it look like a small star, less brighter than Venus. I'm wondering if i could see details of the ISS with a good telescope ?
2007-08-13 13:53:13 · 7 answers · asked by Kaynos 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well, you saw how fast the thing was going. To see any detail, you might need 100x magnification.
Can you imagine how fast it would appear to move magnified by 100. It would cross your field of view in about a fiftieth of a second.
Yes, tracking it would be very difficult. And if you used a lower magnification, what would be the point? It is much better to see it cross the whole sky on a dark evening or morning.
the sky is actually a bigger place without a telescope. telescopes have a very restricted field of view.
There's an appropriate saying that you might, or might not understand:
"Horses for courses"
2007-08-13 14:05:24 · answer #1 · answered by nick s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you could, but the problem is that in a good telescope, it will appear to move very quickly across the sky. You might be able to get a glimpse of it, but it would be hard to make out any detail because you have have to track it with absolute precision, which is challenging. But I wouldn't want to discourage you from trying - if you have a good telescope, or know someone who does, give it a shot!
2007-08-13 20:59:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure.
But you must get set up for it before hand by checking for orbit times and locations via the Internet Tracking Sites. It will pass through your telescope lense rather quickly. binoculars might be a better bet because they are easier to swing around and track a fast moving object.
2007-08-13 21:08:12 · answer #3 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, depending on what you define as "good", but it is difficult to track and still doesn't look much different than a very small object.
2007-08-13 20:58:38 · answer #4 · answered by Dan K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can locate a local motorized observatory, then you can see it really well. If you have a hand-held scope, try making a stand for it, you need to move it smoothly to track it well.
2007-08-13 21:01:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, but tracking it can be an issue.
I don't think smart scopes are set to track that fast.
2007-08-13 21:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by Mercury 2010 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
email the astronomer!!
asktheastronomer@email.com
2007-08-14 01:41:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋