Spacestation sighting over UK tonight 9 59pm for 4 mins. W departing SSE

[wendilla]

Also have a look 2 to 3 mins after and if skies are clear clear you could spot the Russian Cargo ship on route with supplies to the station. Same direction.

[wendilla]

...A robotic Russian cargo spacecraft launched toward the International Space Station Friday (April 20) to ferry tons of gear for the orbiting lab's crew, a flight that comes just 10 days before an American private spaceship is expected to make a historic supply run of its own.

The unmanned Progress 47 supply ship blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in central Kazakhstan at 8:50 a.m. EDT (1250 GMT) today, reaching its preliminary orbit less than 10 minutes later, NASA officials said. The supply ship, which is carrying 2.5 tons of food, fuel and supplies, is slated to dock with the space station at 10:40 a.m. EDT (1440 GMT) S kilograms) of cargo up and — unlike the expendable Progress vehicle — will transport roughly the same amount of material back down to Earth, SpaceX officials have said. [Dragon, SpaceX's Private Spaceship (Photos)]

If Dragon succeeds, it will be the first private spacecraft, and the first unmanned American spaceship, ever to berth with the station.

When NASA retired its space shuttle fleet last July, it became completely dependent on Russian, European and Japanese vessels to carry cargo and crew to the space station. NASA isn't content with this state of affairs, however; it's encouraging private American firms to develop both robotic supply ships and manned astronaut taxis.

NASA is looking to SpaceX and the Virginia-based Orbital Sciences Corp. to begin shouldering the cargo load in the next year or so; Orbital holds a $1.9 billion deal to make eight supply flights.

The space agency has also given money to SpaceX, Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada and Boeing to help them develop crewed craft. NASA has said it wants at least two of these firms' vessels to be in operation by 2017. SpaceX is modifying Dragon to carry up to seven astronauts, and company officials have estimated the crewed version could be up and running in about three years.

[mrsmaveric]

i quite miss seeing the space shuttle take off and land...i never did go and see a launch...and i did so want to...

[wendilla]

It would have been something worth seeing to be there at a launch. Yes miss watching the launches on here live.

[mrsmaveric]

i always wanted to go to florida to see it wendilla...i never had the money years ago...and then when i had the money i just never had the time..looking back i should have made the time to have gone...but hey ho...

[wendilla]

My son and Grandson went Florida 6 years ago and went to see all the things at museum ect .I have pics but took them off my pc to cd and not put them back since I replaced old pc with new one as there is so many. They are going again end of May. Lucky Devils.

[wendilla]

Not a hope in seeing anything here in Leics.

Tomorrows sighting 9 04pm for 5mins.

[Jumbo747]

Thank you for all this wendilla - what an amazing view we had here in Sussex last Monday at 9pm! It never ceases to astound me - I am in total awe.
IF we are lucky enough to miss a shower at 9.59 tonight we should have another good view through the conservatory roof!

[wendilla]

hope you have clear skies Jumbo as it is raining here in Leics. Better luck maybe tomorrow.

[wendilla]

http://www.isstracker.com/

Just coming up over Mexico now. Hard to believe it will be over here in in just over 20 mins.

[wendilla]

The 2012 Lyrid meteor shower peaks overnight between late Saturday, April 21, and early Sunday, April 22. The meteors will appear to radiate outward from the constellation Lyra and the best time to see them will be between midnight and sunrise on Sunday morning.

The Lyrids occur each year in mid-April when the Earth passes through a stream of dust left over from the comet Thatcher, a long-period object that orbits the sun once every 415 years.

[wendilla]

I cannot believe how the sky was clear. Just a few clouds but exactly 2 minutes after on the same route but not so bright as the station the russian cargo ship followed. Should still see the cargo ship tomorrow .

[Sipowicz]

A bit cloudy here on Merseyside Wendilla, but managed to see spacestation. (For the 1st time.) Caught a brief glimpse of the cargo ship also. Thanks for all the info, fascinating.

[Ann]

OH saw the space station Wendilla here in Leicestershire but only just - as very hazy cloud, he didn't see the cargo ship. Can you please tell us in which direction we should be looking tomorrow evening for the meteor shower, its a bit complicated on the various websites, also what time is best please?

[Ann]

Sorry I see you say after midnight and before sunrise but in which direction is the constellation Lyra?

[wendilla]

http://skychart.skyan...cope.com/skychart.php

Ann I am not an expert on the stars but if you look north east well up and to the left of Saturn it is with Vega..If you find Hercules it is that direction.

Look on the link and a page should come up then click on on where it says sky and telescope.You will see the times on the left click on the plus sign.

Someone else with a bit more knowledge might be able to simplify it better for you but this is how I learn them.

[wendilla]

I see the map comes straight up so click anywhere on the large map and check on the small one on left. Don't forget to move the time you want on the left. Hope this helps.

[waterboatman]

Thanks wendi.