High Sierra Topix

Seeing how I was awake at 5 AM this morning I went outside and watched a 5:07 AM fly over of the ISS just a few minutes ago. Made me wonder if anyone had ever seen it going overhead while up in the Sierras. Have seen it out in the desert near Barstow when I knew it was going over, but not up in the Sierras that I can remember. Something to make you think about while watching it pass over you.

I've seen it many times. It's spectacular in the high country, especially if it's a bright pass (they vary). I try to make it a habit to check when the ISS will be passing over. It adds a little anticipation and excitement to my star gazing. It's fun stuff, especially the first couple of times you see it.

I use an app on my android phone that will alert me when there is a visible ISS pass where I'm located. It's a free one called ISS Detector. Synch the app to update the data before you are off grid. It has an option in settings to calculate up to 10 days.

If you're a HAM operator you can attempt to contact the ISS when they are doing a flyover as well. http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/space ... d-iss.html

You can sign up to get text alerts when it's flying over your area https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/

For iPhone I use a free app called ISS Spotter. Lots of cool stuff including a forecast that ranks how well you will be able to see it and on what nights. It also has a little compass type thing so you can point it at where it should become visible, it also shows angle of height in the sky.