The Dutch Observatory

Opportunities to image ISS passes have been limited this year.  Between the bad weather and the visibility during good weather did not leave many opportunities.  I remember 2 passes accross the sun where the clouds moved in the last minute making it a non-event.  This week we have had seveal opportunities The 25th, the pass of the ISS and shuttle duo from here was too low and went through the trees behind the house.  The 26th was a good pass and I gave it a shot again to image.  I thought I had the right exposure time and filterwheel, but unfortunately my notes from last year were not conclusive enough.  Never the less, I am learning again!   Here an animated image of the pass over the Dutch Observatory on Thanksgiving day. You can see the ISS getting bigger as it comes closer, and some additional features become visible. You might have to click the image to start the animation.  Check out the movie of last year’s capture also.

Mars on Thanksgiving day 2009!  The seeing was not good and I ended up with some soft images.  Could not bring out more contrast without the images ringing.  It looks like there might be some dust in Xanthe?  For the rest the image is too soft to make out specific items other than the general albedo regions.