New Russian Spacestation Module Nauka Possilbe Sighting Opportunities

[petemn2004]

The new Russian space station module, Nauka, was launched into orbit this past Wednesday July 21. They having issues with the control of the module and are trying to have it reach the ISS.

The Heavens-Above.com site has this presently for sighting opportunities from the the Twin Cites to spot Nauka:

Sat 24 Jul Max Elevation Time 22:23:43, Max Elevation 18° (North North East)
Sun 25 Jul Max Elevation Time 22:33:24 Max Elevation 26° (North North East)
Mon 26 Jul Max Elevation Time 22:42:25, Max Elevation 47° (North)

How bright it will be is unknown.

It should be higher in the sky on Sunday and higher yet on Monday.
Times subject to change. Check Heavens-Above.com.

If it gets close to the ISS by next weekend there should be a favorable opportunity to see it and the ISS on Friday night (July 30) and other days.


Mark

[petemn2004]

I did see the new Russian space station module Nauka last night thru the smoky skies about 11:08 PM for a short time at the apex of it's pass. The brightness was similar to that of the bright star Vega, magnitude 0.0.

Nauka is the largest spacecraft that will be coming to the ISS since the last visit of the space shuttle. Nauka is scheduled to dock with the ISS on Thursday morning July 29. The closer it gets to Thursday the closer Nauka will be to the ISS. Nauka will be trailing the ISS.

Heavens-Above.com predictions for ISS passes are:
Mon 26 Jul Mag -2.1 Max Elevation Time 21:34:47 Max Elevation 30° (North North East) Ends 21:37:49 10° ENE visible
Mon 26 Jul Mag -3.9 Max Elevation Time 23:11:52 Max Elevation 81° (South South West) Ends 23:11:54 81° SSW visible
Tues 27 Jul Mag -3.6 Max Elevation Time 22:24:32 Max Elevation 68° (North North East) Ends 22:26:09 28° ESE visible
Tues 27 Jul Mag -1.0 Max Elevation Time 23:59:06 Max Elevation 13° (West) Ends 23:59:06 13° W visible
Wed 28 Jul Mag -3.0 Max Elevation Time 21:37:10 Max Elevation 48° (North North East) Ends 21:40:27 10° E visible
Wed 28 Jul Mag -2.4 Max Elevation Time 23:13:24 Max Elevation 29° (West South West Ends 23:13:24 29° WSW visible

The orbit of Nauka will be changing and I expect the predictions for Nauka will be in flux. I will be checking Heavens-Above.com for the latest predictions each night.


Mark

[petemn2004]

Looks to be an excellent opportunity to spot the new Nauka module tonight, Tuesday July 27, barring clouds and smoke.

Nauka module:
Tues 22 Max Elevation Time 22:37:21 Max Elevation 81° (North North East) Ends 22:37:51 Elevation 56° East South East
Rises in the West North West at 22:34:31 Should pass through the handle of the Big Dipper.

The orbital parameters that generated this prediction is some what dated and the time is subject to change.


The ISS will lead the Nauka module in orbit.

ISS:
Tues 27 Jul Magnitude -3.6 Max Elevation Time 22:24:34 Max Elevation 68°

I will be looking for Nauka after the ISS makes its pass up to 20 to 25 minute if I can see the ISS.


On Wednesday night they should be quite close and maybe both viewable together in the sky.

Mark

[petemn2004]

I saw the Nauka pass tonight. Right overhead. It was as bright as Vega.

Looks like it might be a stormy afternoon on Wednesday. Maybe it will clear up some of the humidity in the air.

It would be nice to see the ISS and Nauka relatively close to each other.

Mark

[petemn2004]

Latest ISS pass prediction for the Twin Cities tonight:
Weds 28 Jul Max Elevation Time 21:37:11 Max Elevation 48° North North East

Nauka should be trailing the ISS and is scheduled to dock with ISS tomorrow morning about 8:30 AM CDT, so it should be quite close to the ISS by tonight.

The ISS will be the brightest of the tow at magnitude -3.0

I find that Nauka is magnitude 0

There is another ISS pass tonight with a Max Elevation Time of 23:13:25 Max Elevation 29° WSW

Mark