Endeavour + ISS

Caught the Space Shuttle Endeavour followed by the International Space Station through the Big Dipper, Ursa Major.

ISS, Second Attempt

This was an amazing pass. I set the exposure way back on the camera, and used the hand controller to control the scope. My best results came when I'd get just ahead of the station, stop, and let it fly through the FOV--about nine or ten frames at 60 frames per second!

I don't know what's what in this shot, except that those are solar panels to the left. This is a 150% enlargement.

ISS, First Attempt

OK, I learned a few lessons. The International Space Station is bright; I'll need to reduce the exposure even more. Second, people with tremors like me shouldn't attempt to hand-track the telescope to follow the station. I didn't have too much trouble getting it in frame, but nearly every exposure was streaked by motion blur, even at 60 frames-per-second.

We're supposed to have another good pass Wednesday, I'll give it another go then.

10" LX200 @ f/6.3, DMK21AF04 @ 60 fps