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Binoculars for viewing Space Station

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  • 07-05-2011 2:24pm
    #1
    Rhys Essien
    Registered Users Posts: 3,029 ✭✭✭


    I was thinking about purchasing this pair.Does anyone have similar or same pair?.Are binoculars any good in general for making out the detail of the ISS as it passes over.?
    The same pair on astronomyireland site are €200.
    Think they would be brilliant when the shuttle is attached to it shortly if you could make out some detail though the 25 X 100 would be better again.

    http://www.astroshop.eu/celestron-binoculars-skymaster-20x80/p,7829#tab_bar_3_select


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    #2
    shedweller
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭shedweller


    I researched this a while back. What i found out was that the ISS is nearly the same apparent size as Jupiter, which is 29.800″ to 50.115″ according to wiki:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_diameter
    ISS apparent size is 48.9":http://www.astropix.com/HTML/SHOW_DIG/ISS_Solar_Transit.HTM
    So with good seeing, a steady hand and maybe a lot of luck, you might be able to glimpse some structure. I tried following it with my 15x70 binos but found there was a lot of shine off the ISS. Not to mention a shaky hand! Maybe the lenses off some light sunglasses might lower the glare enough to make out detail????:confused:
    A video camera tripod with a controllable tilt/pan head would help no end.


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    #3
    peterako
    Registered Users Posts: 720 ✭✭✭peterako


    Steady hands or a tripod....

    ISS moves so fast that you'll find it hard to track it steadily with hand-held binoculars.

    I just about managed to make out the shape as a 'rectangular' and very bright shape with my LIDL Bresser 10x50 Binoculars.

    Managed to catch and track very briefly the ISS at x38 with my scope recently and could make out the structure of the solar panels.

    BUT.....steadiness is the problem with hand-held. Just try seeing Saturns rings with a hand held binoculars and you'll see what I mean.

    Tripod...tripod...tripod :)

    Clear skies,
    Peter


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    #4
    Popoutman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,363 ✭✭✭Popoutman


    I've used a tripod with the legs extended but not spread, to make a type of 'monopod', with the 15x70 binoculars. With this configuration I've been able to make out the H shape as it passes over.

    It's not easy, and it requires practice (that I got from tracking airplanes) but it is possible to get fleetign glimpses of structure. Nothing detailed though.


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