The Shuttle-ISS Complex - 2 August 2005

Image Details: The Shuttle docked to the ISS on 2 August 2005. Image taken from the Parkes Observatory during the Shuttle's return to flight mission. Only the delta shape of the shuttle is visible, plus Soyuz and Progress vehicles attached to the ISS. The rest of the structure is under exposed and not visible. Left: Image taken with a Philips TUocam attached to an 8-inch f/6 Newtonian telescope and hand-tracked. Right: Image produced by ISS-Simulator S/W showing the configuration at the time.

Image Details: The Shuttle docked to the ISS on 2 August 2005. Image taken from the Parkes Observatory during the Shuttle's return to flight mission. This image was taken a few seconds after the above image and clearly shows the changed orientation, smaller size (since it moved further away) and the distinct reddening of the complex as it moved into the Earth's shadow. Left: Image taken with a Philips TUocam attached to an 8-inch f/6 Newtonian telescope and hand-tracked. Right: Image produced by ISS-Simulator S/W showing the configuration at the time.

Image Details: Sequence of images as the Shuttle-ISS complex passed over the Parkes Observatory on 2 August 2005. The changing orientation, diminishing size and distinct redding of the complex as it moved into the Earth's shadow are clearly evident. The sequence represents a two minute period as the complex approached and then moved away from the observer (me). The sequence was captured using a Philips TUocam attached to an 8-inch f/6 Newtonian telescope and hand-tracked.

The ISS Complex - 5 to 7 March 2001

Image Details: The ISS on 5 March 2001. Image taken from my home in Parkes. This image was a test to confirm the techniques for imaging the MIR Space Station before it was de-orbited two weeks later in late March 2001. Left: Image taken with a low resolution B/W surveillance camera attached to an 8-inch f/6 Newtonian telescope and hand-tracked. Right: Image produced by ISS-Simulator S/W showing the configuration of the ISS at the time.

Image Details: The ISS on 5 March 2001. Image taken from my home in Parkes. This image was taken just a few seconds after the above image, when the orientation of the ISS had changed. Left: Image taken with a low resolution B/W surveillance camera attached to an 8-inch f/6 Newtonian telescope and hand-tracked. Right: Image produced by ISS-Simulator S/W showing the configuration of the ISS at the time.

Image Details: The ISS on 7 March 2001. Image taken from my home in Parkes. This image was taken taken two days after the above two images, and was a test to confirm the techniques for imaging the MIR Space Station before it was de-orbited two weeks later in late March 2001. Left: Image taken with a low resolution B/W surveillance camera attached to an 8-inch f/6 Newtonian telescope and hand-tracked. Right: Image produced by ISS-Simulator S/W showing the configuration of the ISS at the time.

The OPTUS B1 and B3 geostationary satellites -15 July 1996.

Image Details: OPTUS B1 satellite photographed July 15, 1996. The satellite remained stationary as the background stars trailed through the field. Image taken from Sydney Observatory using a normal film camera attached to a Meade 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The coordinates of the satellite were hand calculated by me.

Image Details: OPTUS B3 satellite photographed July 15, 1996. The satellite remained stationary as the background stars trailed through the field. Image taken from Sydney Observatory using a normal film camera attached to a Meade 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The coordinates of the satellite were hand calculated by me.