Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Betelgeuse continues its historic fade
Betelgeuse is a red giant star which forms a distinctive part of the Constellation of Orion the Hunter. It has shot to prominence recently as it has dimmed to levels not seen for over 25 years. It is now obviously dimmer than magnitude 0.85 Aldebaran and roughly as bright as Bellatrix, the next brightest star just to the north of Betelgeuse (see chart below). While there is a lot of excitement as Betelgeuse is likely to go supernova "soon", soon is probably 100,000 years away, and the current dimming has other explanations (see below).
While familiar to almost all casual observers of the night sky as the bright red star that forms the shoulder of Orion the hunter, most people were unaware until recently that Betelgeuse is a variable star with a complex cycle of dimming and brightening. While the variations in brightness are small they may form the basis of stories by indigenous Australians who were keen observers of nature.
As I said, the variability of Betelgeuse is complex, with a dominant period of 420 days, superimposed on a long period of 5-6 years and a shorter-term variability of around 180 days. The latest Astronomers telegram suggests that the "he current faintness of Betelgeuse appears to arise from the coincidence of the star being near the minimum light of the ~5.9-yr light-cycle as well as near, the deeper than usual, minimum of the ~425-d period".
It is possible that Betelgeuse is close to its minimum, so further observations are needed over the coming days. Towards the end of the week, the waxing moon will make it more difficult to estimate Belegeuses brightness.
In order to avoid the Purkinje effect, where red stars seem to become brighter the longer you stare at them, you need to keep shifting your gaze around. Try bracketing the star with observations of stars brighter and dimmer. to get a good comparison. A more comprehensive guide to observing variable stars is here. Different observers will have slightly different estimates. My last estimate was Betelguese was a trace under 1.6 and Les Dalrymple had it a trace over. Try not to let your expectations bias what you are seeing.
Labels: Betelgeuse, unaided eye observation, variable star
The Sky This Week - Thursday January 2 to Thursday January 9
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, January 3. Earth is at perihelion on the 5th. Venus is prominent in the evening sky visible well after the of twilight. Mars is visible in the morning twilight and enters the head of Scorpius the Scorpion. The Red Giant star Betelgeuse in Orion is still dimming.
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, January 3. The Moon is at apogee when it is furthest from the Earth on January the 2nd. Earth is at perihelion, when it is closest to the Sun, on the 5th.
Sky at 21:38 ACDST on Saturday, January 4 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 5:01 ACDST facing east as seen from Adelaide on Saturday, January 4, 60 minutes before sunrise.
Mars is low above the horizon and passes into the head of Scorpius the scorpion. It is close to the bright star Acrab on the 8th and 9th.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).
Evening sky looking north-east at 22:18 ACDST on Saturday, January 4 (90 minutes after sunset). Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. Orion is readily visible. Betelgeuse is the bright red star below the "saucepan" of Orion. Red Aldebaran is almost the same height above the horizon as red Betelgeuse, making brightness comparisons easy.
Betelgeuse is a red giant star which forms a distinctive part of the Constellation of Orion. It is a variable star, with small fluctuations in brightness not visible to the casual observer.
Betelgeuse has dimmed substantially and is now even dimmer than last week, reportedly between magnitude 1.5-1.7, it is visibly dimmer than magnitude 1 Aldebaran and roughly as bright as Bellatrix The next brightest star just to the north of Betelgeuse. Keep an eye on this historic dimming event, observing hints and stars for magnitude estimation are given here. Towards the end of the week, the waxing moon will make it more difficult to estimate Belegeuses brightness.
Venus is prominent above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is now readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset.
Mercury is low in the evening twilight but will be difficult to see this month.
Jupiter is lost in the twilight glow but will enter the morning sky later this month.
Mars is visible in the morning twilight. It enters the head of the scorpion, Scorpius, this week.
Saturn is lost in the twilight.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The First Quarter Moon is Friday, January 3. The Moon is at apogee when it is furthest from the Earth on January the 2nd. Earth is at perihelion, when it is closest to the Sun, on the 5th.
Sky at 21:38 ACDST on Saturday, January 4 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide.Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Mars is low above the horizon and passes into the head of Scorpius the scorpion. It is close to the bright star Acrab on the 8th and 9th.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).
Betelgeuse is a red giant star which forms a distinctive part of the Constellation of Orion. It is a variable star, with small fluctuations in brightness not visible to the casual observer.
Betelgeuse has dimmed substantially and is now even dimmer than last week, reportedly between magnitude 1.5-1.7, it is visibly dimmer than magnitude 1 Aldebaran and roughly as bright as Bellatrix The next brightest star just to the north of Betelgeuse. Keep an eye on this historic dimming event, observing hints and stars for magnitude estimation are given here. Towards the end of the week, the waxing moon will make it more difficult to estimate Belegeuses brightness.
Mercury is low in the evening twilight but will be difficult to see this month.
Jupiter is lost in the twilight glow but will enter the morning sky later this month.
Mars is visible in the morning twilight. It enters the head of the scorpion, Scorpius, this week.
Saturn is lost in the twilight.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
The Sky This Week - Thursday December 26 to Thursday January 2
The New Moon is Thursday, December 26. Venus climbs even higher in the evening sky. Venus is close to the crescent Moon the 29th. Mars is visible in the morning twilight.
The New Moon is Thursday, December 26. The Moon is at apogee when it is furthest from the Earth on January the 2nd
Sky at 21:38 ACDST on Sunday, December 29 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide. Venus is just below the crescent Moon.
The left upper insert shows the telescopic view of Venus at this time. It is a distinct gibbous shape.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 4:56 ACDST facing east as seen from Adelaide on Saturday 28 December 60 minutes before sunrise.
Mars is low above the horizon
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).
Venus is higher above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is now readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset. Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 29th.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Jupiter is lost in the twilight glow.
Mars is visible in the morning twilight.
Saturn is lost in the twilight.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The New Moon is Thursday, December 26. The Moon is at apogee when it is furthest from the Earth on January the 2nd
The left upper insert shows the telescopic view of Venus at this time. It is a distinct gibbous shape.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 4:56 ACDST facing east as seen from Adelaide on Saturday 28 December 60 minutes before sunrise.Mars is low above the horizon
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).
Venus is higher above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is now readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset. Venus is close to the crescent Moon on the 29th.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Jupiter is lost in the twilight glow.
Mars is visible in the morning twilight.
Saturn is lost in the twilight.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Friday, December 20, 2019
Betelgeuse Fades More
Betelgeuse is the bright red star below the "saucepan" of Orion. Red Aldebaran is almost the same height above the horizon as red Betelgeuse, making comparison easy. Aldebaran is magnitude 0.85 and is now visibly brighter than Betelgeuse.
Betelgeuse is a red giant star which forms a distinctive part of the Constellation of Orion the Hunter.
While familiar to almost all casual observers of the night sky, not may people know Betelgeuse is a variable star, with small fluctuations in brightness not visible to the casual observer. It typically ranges between 0.3 to 1.0 (in the stellar magnitude system smaller numbers are brighter than larger numbers). For a fuller explanation of Belegueses complex variability see my previous post.
A 2 year light curve of Betelgeuse from the light curve generator at the AAVSO. It's a bit messy because of all the observations , but if you pick out the yellow line you can see that it has now dipped to around magnitude 1.5 in the latest observations.It your sky is not covered by smoke of cloud at the moment go out now (well, its best to go out around 11:00 pm when the reference stars are high enough. for good comparisons. The Moon is not in the evening sky to interfere with the stars brightness. Nearby Aldebaran (magnitude 0.85) also red, is a good comparison star. Belatrix, the other shoulder star of Orion opposite Betelgueuses is magnitude 1.6. The middle star of Orions belt, Alnilam is magnitude 1.7 and Adhara in Canis Major is Magnitude 1.5. Achernar (magnitude 0.45), Alpha Crucis (magnitude 0.61) Mimosa (beta crucis magnitude ) and Beta Centauri (magnitude 0.55) are also good comparison stars but further away and harder to compare (see chart below).
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: Betelgeuse, unaided eye, variable star
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
The Sky This Week - Thursday December 19 to Thursday December 26
The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday December 19, the New Moon is Thursday December 26. Venus climbs even higher in the evening sky. Saturn is low in the twilight below Venus and is lost to view by the end of the week. Jupiter is lost in the evening twilight. Mars is visible in the morning twilight and is close to the crescent Moon on the 23rd and 24th. Bright star Betelgeuse dims further.
The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday December 19, the New Moon is Thursday December 26.
Sky at 21:35 ACDST on Saturday December 21 (60 minutes after sunset)
looking west as seen from Adelaide. Venus is above Saturn which is just above the horizon.
The left upper insert shows the telescopic view of Venus at this time.It is a distinct gibbous shape.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Morning sky at 4:53 ACDST facing east as seen from Adelaide on Monday 23 December 60 minutes before sunrise.
Mars is low above the horizon Near the thin cresent Moon. Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).
Evening sky looking north-east at 23:00 ACDST on Saturday December 21. Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. Orion is readily visible. Betelgeuse is the bright red star below the "saucepan" of Orion. Red Aldebaran is almost the same height above the horizon as red Betelgeuse, making comparison easy.
Betelgeuse is a red giant star which forms a distinctive part of the Constellation of Orion. It is a variable star, with small fluctuations in brightness not visible to the casual observer.
However Betelgeuse has dimmed substantially, and is now even dimmer than last week, reportedly around magnitude 1.3, it is visibly dimmer than magnitude 1 Aldebaran. It is well worth keeping an eye on it, to see if it dims further. What the dimming means is not clear, but Betelgeuse will be an interesting object over the coming month.
Venus is higher above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is now readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset.Venus leaves Saturn further behind over the week.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Jupiter is lost in the twilight glow.
Mars is visible in the morning twilight. it is close to the crescent Moon on the 23rd and 24th.
Saturn is below Venus close to the horizon and is lost in the twilight by the end of the week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
The Last Quarter Moon is Thursday December 19, the New Moon is Thursday December 26.
The left upper insert shows the telescopic view of Venus at this time.It is a distinct gibbous shape.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia 60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen.
Mars is low above the horizon Near the thin cresent Moon. Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Similar views will be seen elsewhere in Australia at the equivalent local time. (60 minutes before sunrise, click to embiggen).
Betelgeuse is a red giant star which forms a distinctive part of the Constellation of Orion. It is a variable star, with small fluctuations in brightness not visible to the casual observer.
However Betelgeuse has dimmed substantially, and is now even dimmer than last week, reportedly around magnitude 1.3, it is visibly dimmer than magnitude 1 Aldebaran. It is well worth keeping an eye on it, to see if it dims further. What the dimming means is not clear, but Betelgeuse will be an interesting object over the coming month.
Venus is higher above the western horizon in the early evening sky. Venus is now readily seen up to 90 minutes after sunset.Venus leaves Saturn further behind over the week.
Mercury is lost in the twilight.
Jupiter is lost in the twilight glow.
Mars is visible in the morning twilight. it is close to the crescent Moon on the 23rd and 24th.
Saturn is below Venus close to the horizon and is lost in the twilight by the end of the week.
Printable PDF maps of the Eastern sky at 10 pm AEDST, Western sky at 10 pm AEDST. For further details and more information on what's up in the sky, see Southern Skywatch.
Star Map via Virtual sky. Use your mouse to scroll around and press 8 when your pointer is in the map to set to current time.
Cloud cover predictions can be found at SkippySky.
Here is the near-real time satellite view of the clouds (day and night) http://satview.bom.gov.au/
Labels: weekly sky
Thursday, December 12, 2019
An unusual series of Bright ISS passes (14-19 December, 2019)
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| The ISS just before it enters Earth's shadow as seen from Sydney on the evening of Saturday 14 December at 22:38 AEDST. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot), click to embiggen. | The ISS before it enters Earth's shadow as seen from Adelaide on the evening of Saturday 14 December at at 22:38 ACDST. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot), click to embiggen. | The ISS passes close to Canopus, as seen from Perth on the evening of Saturday 14 December at 21:13 AWST. Simulated in Stellarium (the ISS will actually be a bright dot)click to embiggen. |
 |  |  |
| All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Saturday 14 December for Sydney. | All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Saturday 14 December for Adelaide. | All sky chart showing local times from Heavens Above for Saturday 14 December for Perth. |
Over the next few days there are a series of bright ISS passes in the early evening where you get to see something not exactly common. The ISS entering and leaving the Earths shadow. Seeing the ISS wink out as it slides into earths shadow is relatively common, but to see it reappear again is much rarer. This will be seen on the 14th for most of the east coast and south Australia.
Aside from this, on the 15 the ISS passs through Orion in many cities, there are some close bright star passes and from Brisbane there is a close pass to Venu on the 16th.
The following tables are from data provided from Heavens Above.
Passes from Adelaide (ACDST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 12 Dec | -0.5 | 05:27:29 | 10° | S | 05:29:16 | 13° | SSE | 05:31:03 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.3 | 00:34:51 | 12° | SSW | 00:35:03 | 12° | SSW | 00:36:25 | 10° | S | visible |
| 14 Dec | -1.3 | 05:26:15 | 10° | SSW | 05:29:17 | 28° | SE | 05:32:16 | 10° | E | visible |
| 14 Dec | -3.3 | 22:05:56 | 10° | NNW | 22:10:00 | 44° | E | 22:12:39 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.7 | 23:43:55 | 10° | WSW | 23:46:16 | 17° | SSW | 23:48:37 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -0.6 | 04:38:05 | 10° | SSW | 04:40:35 | 18° | SSE | 04:43:03 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -2.8 | 21:17:52 | 10° | NNW | 21:20:50 | 28° | NE | 21:23:49 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -1.4 | 22:54:36 | 10° | W | 22:57:32 | 26° | SW | 23:00:30 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -0.3 | 03:50:10 | 10° | S | 03:51:48 | 13° | SSE | 03:53:26 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -3.7 | 05:25:34 | 10° | SW | 05:29:00 | 87° | SE | 05:32:22 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -2.4 | 22:05:36 | 10° | WNW | 22:08:52 | 43° | SW | 22:12:11 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -2.5 | 04:37:06 | 10° | SW | 04:40:25 | 45° | SE | 04:43:41 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -3.6 | 21:16:52 | 10° | NW | 21:20:17 | 83° | SW | 21:23:43 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -0.2 | 22:55:55 | 10° | SW | 22:57:29 | 13° | SSW | 22:59:04 | 10° | S | visible |
| 18 Dec | -1.4 | 03:48:46 | 10° | SSW | 03:51:44 | 26° | SE | 03:54:40 | 10° | E | visible |
| 18 Dec | -2.7 | 05:25:31 | 10° | WSW | 05:28:26 | 26° | NW | 05:31:18 | 10° | N | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.6 | 22:06:13 | 10° | WSW | 22:08:40 | 18° | SSW | 22:11:09 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.7 | 03:00:36 | 10° | SSW | 03:02:59 | 17° | SSE | 03:05:22 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -3.7 | 04:36:37 | 10° | WSW | 04:39:57 | 52° | NW | 04:43:14 | 10° | NNE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -1.3 | 21:16:55 | 10° | W | 21:19:55 | 28° | SW | 21:22:57 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -0.3 | 02:12:43 | 10° | S | 02:14:09 | 12° | SSE | 02:15:36 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -3.7 | 03:47:58 | 10° | SW | 03:51:23 | 78° | SE | 03:54:46 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 21 Dec | -0.7 | 02:59:29 | 10° | SW | 02:59:43 | 11° | SSW | 02:59:43 | 11° | SSW | visible |
| 21 Dec | -0.4 | 21:18:00 | 10° | WSW | 21:19:45 | 13° | SSW | 21:21:32 | 10° | S | visible |
Passes from Brisbane (AEST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 14 Dec | -3.5 | 20:00:28 | 10° | NNW | 20:03:43 | 46° | NE | 20:03:55 | 45° | ENE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.4 | 21:39:59 | 12° | SW | 21:40:38 | 13° | SW | 21:42:17 | 10° | S | visible |
| 15 Dec | -0.9 | 04:11:52 | 10° | SSW | 04:14:40 | 23° | SE | 04:17:26 | 10° | E | visible |
| 15 Dec | -2.5 | 19:12:39 | 10° | N | 19:15:20 | 22° | NE | 19:18:03 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -1.1 | 20:49:15 | 10° | W | 20:51:59 | 22° | SW | 20:54:43 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -0.3 | 03:24:13 | 10° | S | 03:26:02 | 14° | SE | 03:27:49 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -2.3 | 20:00:10 | 10° | WNW | 20:03:23 | 41° | SW | 20:06:40 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -3.7 | 04:11:02 | 10° | SW | 04:14:28 | 87° | ESE | 04:17:48 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -3.7 | 19:11:28 | 10° | NW | 19:14:52 | 88° | SW | 19:18:18 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -2.3 | 03:22:41 | 10° | SSW | 03:25:55 | 40° | SE | 03:29:07 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.3 | 20:01:24 | 10° | WSW | 20:03:16 | 14° | SW | 20:05:10 | 10° | S | visible |
| 19 Dec | -1.1 | 02:34:36 | 10° | SSW | 02:37:18 | 21° | SE | 02:39:58 | 10° | E | visible |
| 19 Dec | -2.5 | 04:11:16 | 10° | WSW | 04:13:56 | 22° | NW | 04:16:36 | 10° | N | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.9 | 19:11:46 | 10° | W | 19:14:35 | 24° | SW | 19:17:26 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -0.3 | 01:47:02 | 10° | S | 01:48:37 | 13° | SE | 01:50:10 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -3.6 | 03:22:15 | 10° | SW | 03:25:31 | 46° | NW | 03:28:44 | 10° | NNE | visible |
Passesfrom Darwin (ACDT)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 14 Dec | -1.8 | 19:25:48 | 10° | NNE | 19:27:10 | 12° | NE | 19:28:32 | 10° | E | visible |
| 14 Dec | -1.3 | 21:00:52 | 10° | WNW | 21:03:40 | 24° | SW | 21:06:29 | 10° | S | visible |
| 15 Dec | -3.0 | 20:11:52 | 10° | NW | 20:15:10 | 56° | SW | 20:18:31 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -0.5 | 05:18:13 | 10° | S | 05:20:33 | 18° | SE | 05:22:53 | 10° | E | visible |
| 17 Dec | -0.2 | 20:13:15 | 10° | WSW | 20:14:54 | 13° | SW | 20:16:34 | 10° | SSW | visible |
| 19 Dec | -3.8 | 05:16:51 | 10° | SW | 05:20:13 | 85° | ESE | 05:23:32 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -2.0 | 04:28:37 | 10° | SSW | 04:31:42 | 33° | SE | 04:34:45 | 10° | ENE | visible |
Passes from Hobart (AEDST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 12 Dec | -2.5 | 01:08:03 | 42° | S | 01:08:03 | 42° | S | 01:11:01 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 12 Dec | -1.0 | 02:42:27 | 10° | SW | 02:45:04 | 20° | S | 02:47:40 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 12 Dec | -1.2 | 04:19:49 | 10° | SW | 04:22:39 | 23° | SSE | 04:25:29 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 13 Dec | -2.4 | 00:20:25 | 35° | SE | 00:20:25 | 35° | SE | 00:22:36 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 13 Dec | -1.2 | 01:53:37 | 10° | WSW | 01:56:23 | 22° | SSW | 01:59:09 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 13 Dec | -0.9 | 03:31:19 | 10° | SW | 03:33:59 | 20° | S | 03:36:38 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 13 Dec | -2.4 | 23:32:10 | 31° | ESE | 23:32:10 | 31° | ESE | 23:34:07 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -1.5 | 01:04:55 | 11° | WSW | 01:07:43 | 26° | SSW | 01:10:41 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.8 | 02:42:44 | 10° | SW | 02:45:17 | 19° | S | 02:47:49 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -2.0 | 04:19:31 | 10° | SW | 04:22:44 | 36° | SSE | 04:25:55 | 10° | E | visible |
| 14 Dec | -3.5 | 22:39:59 | 18° | NNW | 22:42:14 | 44° | NE | 22:45:33 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -2.0 | 00:15:53 | 10° | W | 00:19:04 | 33° | SSW | 00:22:15 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -0.8 | 01:54:00 | 10° | SW | 01:56:33 | 19° | S | 01:59:05 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -1.4 | 03:31:05 | 10° | SW | 03:34:06 | 28° | SSE | 03:37:06 | 10° | E | visible |
| 15 Dec | -2.7 | 21:50:57 | 10° | NNW | 21:53:52 | 26° | NE | 21:56:47 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -2.7 | 23:27:08 | 10° | WNW | 23:30:27 | 47° | SSW | 23:33:50 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -0.9 | 01:05:11 | 10° | WSW | 01:07:49 | 20° | S | 01:10:27 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -1.1 | 02:42:36 | 10° | SW | 02:45:25 | 23° | SSE | 02:48:13 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -3.5 | 04:19:09 | 10° | SW | 04:22:35 | 77° | SSE | 04:26:00 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -3.5 | 22:38:28 | 10° | WNW | 22:41:54 | 72° | SSW | 22:45:21 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -1.1 | 00:16:18 | 10° | WSW | 00:19:06 | 22° | SSW | 00:21:54 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -0.9 | 01:54:02 | 10° | SW | 01:56:42 | 20° | S | 01:59:20 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -2.7 | 03:30:40 | 10° | SW | 03:34:02 | 49° | SSE | 03:37:21 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -3.8 | 21:49:58 | 10° | NW | 21:53:23 | 70° | NE | 21:56:50 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -1.4 | 23:27:23 | 10° | WSW | 23:30:23 | 27° | SSW | 23:33:24 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.8 | 01:05:23 | 10° | SW | 01:07:57 | 19° | S | 01:10:29 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -2.0 | 02:42:12 | 10° | SW | 02:45:25 | 35° | SSE | 02:48:35 | 10° | E | visible |
| 18 Dec | -3.3 | 04:18:57 | 10° | WSW | 04:22:12 | 40° | NW | 04:25:25 | 10° | NNE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -1.9 | 22:38:30 | 10° | W | 22:41:43 | 35° | SSW | 22:44:56 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.8 | 00:16:37 | 10° | SW | 00:19:11 | 19° | S | 00:21:43 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -1.5 | 01:53:44 | 10° | SW | 01:56:43 | 27° | SSE | 01:59:42 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -3.9 | 03:30:19 | 10° | WSW | 03:33:44 | 70° | NW | 03:37:07 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -2.6 | 21:49:42 | 10° | WNW | 21:53:04 | 50° | SSW | 21:56:27 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.9 | 23:27:45 | 10° | WSW | 23:30:24 | 20° | S | 23:33:03 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -1.1 | 01:05:12 | 10° | SW | 01:08:00 | 22° | SSE | 01:10:46 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -3.5 | 02:41:45 | 10° | SW | 02:45:12 | 72° | SSE | 02:48:36 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -2.1 | 04:19:25 | 10° | W | 04:21:34 | 16° | NW | 04:23:41 | 10° | N | visible |
| 20 Dec | -1.1 | 22:38:48 | 10° | WSW | 22:41:38 | 23° | SSW | 22:44:29 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 21 Dec | -0.9 | 00:16:36 | 10° | SW | 00:19:14 | 20° | S | 00:21:51 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 21 Dec | -2.7 | 01:53:14 | 10° | SW | 01:56:35 | 46° | SSE | 01:57:26 | 37° | ESE | visible |
| 21 Dec | -1.4 | 21:49:51 | 10° | W | 21:52:53 | 28° | SSW | 21:55:56 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 21 Dec | -0.9 | 23:27:53 | 10° | SW | 23:30:26 | 19° | S | 23:32:58 | 10° | SE | visible |
Passes from Melbourne (AEDST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 12 Dec | -0.8 | 01:08:04 | 18° | S | 01:08:04 | 18° | S | 01:09:28 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 13 Dec | -0.9 | 00:20:25 | 15° | SSE | 00:20:25 | 15° | SSE | 00:21:14 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 13 Dec | -0.3 | 01:54:40 | 10° | SSW | 01:55:34 | 11° | SSW | 01:56:28 | 10° | S | visible |
| 13 Dec | -0.8 | 05:08:49 | 10° | SSW | 05:11:30 | 21° | SSE | 05:14:09 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 13 Dec | -1.1 | 23:32:10 | 15° | SE | 23:32:10 | 15° | SE | 23:32:53 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.4 | 01:04:59 | 10° | SW | 01:06:48 | 13° | SSW | 01:08:36 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.5 | 04:20:41 | 10° | SSW | 04:22:48 | 15° | SSE | 04:24:55 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -3.9 | 22:37:34 | 10° | NW | 22:40:59 | 74° | NE | 22:44:25 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -0.8 | 00:15:38 | 10° | WSW | 00:18:04 | 18° | SSW | 00:20:31 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -0.3 | 03:32:39 | 10° | S | 03:34:02 | 12° | SSE | 03:35:25 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -2.4 | 05:08:10 | 10° | SW | 05:11:30 | 45° | SE | 05:14:45 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -3.3 | 21:49:21 | 10° | NNW | 21:52:33 | 39° | NE | 21:55:47 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -1.3 | 23:26:29 | 10° | W | 23:29:22 | 25° | SSW | 23:32:18 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -1.5 | 04:19:51 | 10° | SSW | 04:22:53 | 28° | SSE | 04:25:54 | 10° | E | visible |
| 16 Dec | -2.2 | 22:37:30 | 10° | WNW | 22:40:45 | 38° | SSW | 22:44:00 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 17 Dec | 0.0 | 00:17:12 | 10° | SSW | 00:18:16 | 11° | SSW | 00:19:21 | 10° | S | visible |
| 17 Dec | -0.8 | 03:31:36 | 10° | SSW | 03:34:13 | 20° | SSE | 03:36:48 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -3.7 | 05:07:50 | 10° | WSW | 05:11:12 | 58° | NW | 05:14:31 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -3.3 | 21:48:46 | 10° | WNW | 21:52:10 | 66° | SW | 21:55:36 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -0.3 | 23:27:33 | 10° | SW | 23:29:28 | 14° | SSW | 23:31:23 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.4 | 02:43:26 | 10° | SSW | 02:45:28 | 15° | SSE | 02:47:29 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -3.6 | 04:19:16 | 10° | SW | 04:22:43 | 75° | SE | 04:26:05 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.7 | 22:38:11 | 10° | WSW | 22:40:41 | 19° | SSW | 22:43:13 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.1 | 01:55:23 | 10° | S | 01:56:39 | 12° | SSE | 01:57:55 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -2.4 | 03:30:50 | 10° | SW | 03:34:08 | 42° | SE | 03:37:23 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -2.3 | 05:08:11 | 10° | W | 05:10:39 | 19° | NW | 05:13:05 | 10° | N | visible |
| 19 Dec | -1.2 | 21:49:00 | 10° | W | 21:51:57 | 26° | SSW | 21:54:57 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -1.5 | 02:42:29 | 10° | SSW | 02:45:28 | 27° | SSE | 02:48:26 | 10° | E | visible |
| 20 Dec | -3.1 | 04:19:07 | 10° | WSW | 04:22:15 | 34° | NW | 04:25:20 | 10° | NNE | visible |
| 20 Dec | -0.3 | 22:39:33 | 10° | SW | 22:40:48 | 11° | SSW | 22:42:02 | 10° | S | visible |
| 21 Dec | -1.0 | 01:54:12 | 10° | SSW | 01:56:45 | 19° | SSE | 01:57:26 | 18° | SE | visible |
| 21 Dec | -0.5 | 21:49:55 | 10° | WSW | 21:51:57 | 15° | SSW | 21:53:58 | 10° | SSE | visible |
Passes from Perth (AWST)
| Date | Brightness | Start | Highest point | End | Pass type | ||||||
| (mag) | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | Time | Alt. | Az. | ||
| 14 Dec | -0.7 | 04:30:09 | 10° | SSW | 04:32:51 | 21° | SE | 04:35:30 | 10° | E | visible |
| 14 Dec | -3.8 | 21:08:26 | 10° | NW | 21:11:50 | 88° | SW | 21:15:17 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.2 | 22:48:07 | 10° | SW | 22:49:02 | 11° | SSW | 22:49:56 | 10° | SSW | visible |
| 15 Dec | -0.3 | 03:42:22 | 10° | S | 03:44:10 | 13° | SSE | 03:45:56 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -3.4 | 20:20:09 | 10° | NNW | 20:23:24 | 44° | NE | 20:26:41 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -0.6 | 21:58:00 | 10° | WSW | 22:00:18 | 17° | SW | 22:02:36 | 10° | S | visible |
| 16 Dec | -3.2 | 04:29:20 | 10° | SW | 04:32:43 | 64° | SE | 04:36:04 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -1.4 | 21:08:40 | 10° | W | 21:11:38 | 27° | SW | 21:14:37 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -1.8 | 03:41:01 | 10° | SSW | 03:44:09 | 33° | SE | 03:47:15 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -2.6 | 20:19:43 | 10° | WNW | 20:23:02 | 48° | SW | 20:26:23 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.9 | 02:52:56 | 10° | SSW | 02:55:30 | 20° | SE | 02:58:05 | 10° | E | visible |
| 18 Dec | -3.0 | 04:29:13 | 10° | WSW | 04:32:18 | 32° | NW | 04:35:20 | 10° | NNE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.1 | 21:10:24 | 10° | SW | 21:11:38 | 11° | SSW | 21:12:52 | 10° | S | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.3 | 02:05:11 | 10° | S | 02:06:47 | 13° | SSE | 02:08:22 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -3.9 | 03:40:27 | 10° | SW | 03:43:51 | 69° | NW | 03:47:11 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.5 | 20:20:28 | 10° | W | 20:22:53 | 18° | SW | 20:25:19 | 10° | S | visible |
| 20 Dec | -2.8 | 02:51:57 | 10° | SW | 02:57:26 | 20° | ENE | 02:58:39 | 10° | ENE | visible |
Passes from Sydney (AEDST)
| 13 Dec | -0.1 | 00:20:24 | 10° | S | 00:20:24 | 10° | S | 00:20:29 | 10° | S | visible |
| 13 Dec | -0.5 | 23:32:07 | 12° | SSE | 23:32:07 | 12° | SSE | 23:32:35 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -0.3 | 04:23:01 | 10° | S | 04:24:27 | 12° | SSE | 04:25:54 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -2.1 | 21:02:11 | 10° | N | 21:08:26 | 5° | ESE | 21:03:45 | 17° | NNE | visible |
| 14 Dec | -2.0 | 22:38:06 | 10° | WNW | 22:41:14 | 33° | SW | 22:44:24 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 15 Dec | -3.2 | 21:49:15 | 10° | WNW | 21:52:38 | 61° | SW | 21:56:03 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 15 Dec | 0.0 | 23:29:48 | 10° | SSW | 23:29:57 | 10° | SSW | 23:30:06 | 10° | SSW | visible |
| 16 Dec | -1.3 | 04:21:30 | 10° | SSW | 04:24:26 | 26° | SE | 04:27:21 | 10° | E | visible |
| 16 Dec | -3.8 | 21:00:42 | 10° | NW | 21:04:05 | 67° | NE | 21:07:30 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 16 Dec | -0.4 | 22:39:07 | 10° | WSW | 22:41:08 | 15° | SSW | 22:43:09 | 10° | S | visible |
| 17 Dec | -0.5 | 03:33:23 | 10° | SSW | 03:35:43 | 17° | SSE | 03:38:01 | 10° | ESE | visible |
| 17 Dec | -1.0 | 21:49:37 | 10° | W | 21:52:22 | 22° | SW | 21:55:08 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -0.1 | 02:45:41 | 10° | S | 02:46:54 | 11° | SSE | 02:48:07 | 10° | SE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -3.7 | 04:20:42 | 10° | SW | 04:24:07 | 80° | SE | 04:27:30 | 10° | NE | visible |
| 18 Dec | -1.9 | 21:00:29 | 10° | WNW | 21:03:40 | 36° | SW | 21:06:53 | 10° | SSE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -2.4 | 03:32:15 | 10° | SSW | 03:35:31 | 41° | SE | 03:38:44 | 10° | ENE | visible |
| 19 Dec | -2.0 | 05:09:57 | 10° | W | 05:11:57 | 15° | NW | 05:13:56 | 10° | NNW | visible |
| 19 Dec | -0.1 | 21:51:29 | 10° | SW | 21:52:18 | 11° | SSW | 21:53:09 | 10° | SSW | visible |
| 20 Dec | -1.4 | 02:43:57 | 10° | SSW | 02:46:49 | 24° | SE | 02:49:39 | 10° | E | visible |
| 20 Dec | -2.9 | 04:20:33 | 10° | WSW | 04:23:32 | 28° | NW | 04:26:27 | 10° | N | visible |
| 20 Dec | -0.5 | 21:01:18 | 10° | WSW | 21:03:27 | 16° | SSW | 21:05:37 | 10° | S | visible |
| 21 Dec | -0.5 | 01:55:50 | 10° | S | 01:56:59 | 14° | S | 01:56:59 | 14° | S | visible |
When and what you will see is VERY location dependent, so you need to use either Heavens Above or CalSky to get site specific predictions for your location, a small difference in location can mean the difference between the ISS passing over a star or planet or missing it completely. As always, start looking several minutes before the pass is going to start to get yourself oriented and your eyes dark adapted. Be patient, there may be slight differences in the time of the ISS appearing due to orbit changes not picked up by the predictions. Use the most recent prediction for your site.
Labels: ISS, Satellite, unaided eye
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