Photographing the ISS: In addition to my photo tripod, I also have a nice Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount. Any tips how to track and photo the ISS. How about stacking it? Thanks...

brucelathrop

In addition to my photo tripod, I also have a nice Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount. Any tips how to track and photo the ISS. How about stacking it?

Thanks
BL

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

brucelathrop wrote:

In addition to my photo tripod, I also have a nice Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount. Any tips how to track and photo the ISS. How about stacking it?

Thanks
BL

You might want to ask your question in the Astronomy Photo Forum. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-109-1.html

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

You would need to know when it is overhead. NASA has a website that will tell you that. You will also need a tracking motor capable of high speed settings. As it is moving so fast, the ISS is rarely visible for more than a few minutes per pass. Good luck, I've only been able to catch it (photograph it) once.

jcboy3

brucelathrop wrote:

In addition to my photo tripod, I also have a nice Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount. Any tips how to track and photo the ISS. How about stacking it?

Thanks
BL

I would use a camera with wi-fi remote capability. Mount the camera on the hood of your Delorean with one of these:

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/suction-cups-mount-your-camera-to-your-car-hood/

Then as you fly by, use your smartphone to take pictures.

Just don't get caught; texting while flying in low earth orbit is probably illegal.

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Depending on where you live, you might be able to photograph the ISS as it transits the sun or moon. Solar transits are quite common but will require the proper solar filter. Just Google "ISS solar transit".

g8rfan1942 Loc: Ormond Beach Fl

jcboy3 wrote:

I would use a camera with wi-fi remote capability. Mount the camera on the hood of your Delorean with one of these:

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/suction-cups-mount-your-camera-to-your-car-hood/

Then as you fly by, use your smartphone to take pictures.

Just don't get caught; texting while flying in low earth orbit is probably illegal.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Would this give you the information you need to set your tripod? It grabs the location of your ISP for "your" coordinates.
I think if you sign up you can enter your explicit location.
http://www.n2yo.com/passes/?s=25544

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

I've photographed the flyover a couple of time. It's pretty neat to realize what it is and how fast that thing is going. I use this link...go here and it will allow you to sign up for email notifications of when it will be visible in your area. It was visible to me last night at 10:12 p.m. for 6 minutes at 43 degrees and then again this morning at 4:42 a.m. for 6 minutes as it went over at 87 degrees.
Here's the site: http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

brucelathrop wrote:

In addition to my photo tripod, I also have a nice Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount. Any tips how to track and photo the ISS. How about stacking it?

Thanks
BL

First, you locate it -
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/index.cfm

Then you shoot it -
http://www.universetoday.com/93588/a-beginners-guide-to-photographing-the-international-space-station-iss/
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition30/photographing_iss.html
http://soggyastronomer.com/how-to-photograph-the-international-space-station/

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

rmorrison1116 wrote:

You would need to know when it is overhead. NASA has a website that will tell you that. You will also need a tracking motor capable of high speed settings. As it is moving so fast, the ISS is rarely visible for more than a few minutes per pass. Good luck, I've only been able to catch it (photograph it) once.

FYI:

There are several free apps for smartphones that will tell you when it's overhead. I had one that alerted me.

It also let you see the issue tracks, how much time it is visible, and data about future flyovers.

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

jcboy3 wrote:

I would use a camera with wi-fi remote capability. Mount the camera on the hood of your Delorean with one of these:

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/suction-cups-mount-your-camera-to-your-car-hood/

Then as you fly by, use your smartphone to take pictures.

Just don't get caught; texting while flying in low earth orbit is probably illegal.

ILMAO.

ggttc Loc: TN

Spaceweather.com will give you the times, elevation and duration of the ISS fly by...go there...click on flybys at the top of the page...then enter your zip code.

56HotRod Loc: Littleton CO

brucelathrop wrote:

In addition to my photo tripod, I also have a nice Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount. Any tips how to track and photo the ISS. How about stacking it?

Thanks
BL

I really like the ISS Detector. It's an android app. I'm not sure about an Apple app. You set the app by location. Here is a screen print I took a few minutes ago.

(Download)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Wouldn't it just be easier to take pics of airplanes you can actually see?!
Even easier yet would be to just shoot your grandkids, especially if they are short and fat and can't move very fast! They could be holding a model of the ISS!!!!

SS

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Bruce, It's a crap shoot at best, but with the equipment you have you can probably hedge the bet in your favour. Check with the ISS site and see if you can obtain accurate orbital data. Another site that provides really great data is Heavens Above. Once you ascertain the necessary right ascension/declanation, or azimuth and elevation, set your telescope so that the path crosses the view of the scope. Then wait. The ISS, depending on aspect ratio, can be quite bright. You'll probably need a high ISO and a lot of luck.

The velocity of the ISS is going to make it very difficult to do a stacked image as I don't think your clock drive will track the craft that quickly or accurately.
--Bob

brucelathrop wrote:

In addition to my photo tripod, I also have a nice Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount. Any tips how to track and photo the ISS. How about stacking it?

Thanks
BL