Early Sunday
morning, at 01:27 our time,
the San Antonio
Astronomical Association,an
amateur astronomy group, succeeded in flashing space station with a one-watt
blue laser and a white spot light as we passed overhead. This took a number of
engineering calculations. Projected beam diameters (assuming the propagation of
a Gaussian wave for the laser) and intensity at the target had to be calculated.
Tracking space station’s path as it streaked across the sky was another
challenge. I used email to communicate with Robert Reeves, one of the
association’s members. Considering that it takes a day, maybe more, for a
simple exchange of messages (on space station we receive email drops two to
three times a day), the whole event took weeks to plan.
I was ready with cameras for the early morning San Antonio pass and can
report that it was a flashing success. Here’s one of the pictures to prove it.
11
On Apr 23, 2012 04:19:48 AM
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On Mar 28, 2012 08:01:36 AM
Heather
added a comment on your blog post.
Beautiful job!!! Thanx for sharing you're experiences & those intriguing pix!
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On Mar 25, 2012 09:18:13 AM
Bobby Madden
added a comment on your blog post.
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On Mar 22, 2012 07:00:58 AM
Spider42
added a comment on your blog post.
Fantastic images, thanks so very much for sharing them. Cheers!
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On Mar 22, 2012 01:46:35 AM
Abercrombie
added a comment on your blog post.
All stars are very mysterious to me, the history of science is to continue moving forward, exploring the stars are constantly forward..Thank you for this worthwhile information I must post a link on my blog so my associates can benefit from it also.
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On Mar 09, 2012 10:59:53 PM
nikolas
added a comment on your blog post.
quiero conocer la nasa y trabajar alli.
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On Mar 05, 2012 08:51:12 PM
Judy Daub
added a comment on your blog post.
What wonderful blogs i have been reading!! i have only received three so far and can't wait for more. i have always enjoyed watching Alpha racing across the evening skies but mostly when she flew in tandum with the shuttle. I always wished it would last longer than mere minutes. thank you for the blogs to my email.
Judy Daub Age 66 and still in love with night!!!
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On Mar 05, 2012 04:16:40 PM
juvy knight
added a comment on your blog post.
ISS, Sir accomplished sir Russia. FOD in reeves?bi me. regards.
3
On Mar 05, 2012 01:59:25 PM
Nate Boston
added a comment on your blog post.
I always enjoy reading about these seemingly small accomplishments. It seems like it would be no big deal to flash the ISS with a laser, but there is much to take into account.
2
On Mar 05, 2012 02:19:05 PM
Scott McMahan
added a comment on your blog post.
This is cool. Now I want to see a photo of the station taken through a scope. Next time you go outside you should put up a sign to say hello.
1
On Mar 05, 2012 02:30:03 PM
guest
added a comment on your blog post.
i never knew the reasons why that would be challenging however i always knew it was never as simple as just pointing a laser
Only wish to thank you for another great post. Can you tell me where can I find any more info on this topic? I think that\'s the proper approach to this problem.
Beautiful job!!! Thanx for sharing you're experiences & those intriguing pix!
is there some way to clean debris from earths orbit? Seems to me it isa
Fantastic images, thanks so very much for sharing them.
Cheers!
All stars are very mysterious to me, the history of science is to continue moving forward, exploring the stars are constantly forward..Thank you for this worthwhile information I must post a link on my blog so my associates can benefit from it also.
quiero conocer la nasa
y trabajar alli.
What wonderful blogs i have been reading!! i have only received three so far and can't wait for more. i have always enjoyed watching Alpha racing across the evening skies but mostly when she flew in tandum with the shuttle. I always wished it would last longer than mere minutes. thank you for the blogs to my email.
Judy Daub
Age 66 and still in love with night!!!
ISS,
Sir accomplished sir Russia.
FOD in reeves?bi me.
regards.
I always enjoy reading about these seemingly small accomplishments. It seems like it would be no big deal to flash the ISS with a laser, but there is much to take into account.
This is cool. Now I want to see a photo of the station taken through a scope. Next time you go outside you should put up a sign to say hello.
i never knew the reasons why that would be challenging however i always knew it was never as simple as just pointing a laser