Subject: Space Shuttle Discovery Main Engines (SSMEs)
subject: 2009/03/20 STS-119 Discovery observation
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Hier ist eine wider-field Version. Auch der Roboterarm Candarm 2 is gerade noch oben im Bild:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ub…1366-ISS_20090320b1ts.jpg
A reprocessing using a composite of 10 frames taken during
approach of the docked Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-119 mission
in March 2009, resolved some surprising detail including a
sign of the Main Engines(SSMEs)of the Orbiter.
For a visualisation model to compare, see:
http://mensa-barbie.com/blogge…TATIONig125_01_iss_02.JPG
There is a special difficulty capturing the engines due to
problems with the lighting and position angle of observing.
Although resolving them is theoretically within the reach of
an amateur telescope, the engines are not optimal lighted by
sun during culmination, the position were we have shortest
distance and so best resolution. A while before culm, during
approach, lighting angle is better, but resolution is far
from optimal. In this case, thanks to exellent seeing and the
luck with 10 usable frames to improve slightly sign/noise ratio,
it succeeded however.
Imagery: 10inch Newtonian, fully manually tracked using a
6x magn tracking scope)
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Ralf Vandebergh
http://ralfvandebergh.startje.be/vieuw.php?qid=328303
