1 June 2007

And since all this loveliness can not be Heaven, I know in my heart it is June. Abba Goold Woolson

June (Junius): from the Latin, junores, "young people", which might be a reference to the fertility festivals that were held around the Summer Solstice.

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Observing Location	VP
Observational Period	1100-1115 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear but very hazy Temperature 79°F Wind Calm Humidity Moderate Feels Like hot and humid The sky is mostly white with clouds and haze and it already feels hot and moist. They are saying we may have thunderstorms the next few days. Transparency Poor Seeing I
Instruments	Brunton 8x21 compact binocular w/Welco gold shade 14 welder's filter - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Tau Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20070601.1100 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 1.013963 AU 8ms Angular Size 31'35.8" Altitude 60.0° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -0.64° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 258.79° Position Angle (P) -15.35° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2057 Given the weather and the size of the group that was there yesterday I didn’t expect to see anything today so only brought my small binocular, which means I have less of chance of seeing anything that might be there. I didn’t see anything and checking the SOHO image I see that the group is now just plage so haven’t missed anything.   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots)

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Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to be launched on mission STS-117 next Friday, 8Jun07 at 1938 EDT. That means it should fly past the NYC area about 8 minutes later with the main engines still burning. As it passes off to our NE we should see ME at 7:47 (per CalSky).

The last time the Shuttle launched I observed it in a dark sky from Wagner Park where it disappeared into buildings before MECO. I think that Battery Park or maybe the South Street Seaport will be better locations for observing, but it will be difficult since the Shuttle flies over the takeoff path of Newark Airport at only about 8° altitude, making it hard to tell the difference between it and a plane. Binoculars will be needed for the identification and possibly even to see the Shuttle in the daylight sky (sunset is at 2025 EDT).

For each day the launch is delayed the launch time will be moved forward by about 48 minutes in the day so any delays will cause the shuttle to launch earlier in daylight and make spotting it even more difficult. The launch window extends through 19Jun07 and possible launch times can be found at Spaceflight Now.

The Shuttle will rendezvous and dock with ISS on flight day 3, Sunday (10Jun07 1619 EDT per CalSky).

Heavens Above lists the following ISS visible passes for Central Park around that timeframe.

8Jun07	9Jun07	10Jun07
2155 0107	2217 2353	2102
11Jun07	12Jun07	13Jun07
0013 2124 2300	0034 2320	2206 2340

We may have an opportunity to see the craft chase each other across the sky or fly in close formation (best chance on the 9th [if they launch on schedule] but they are short, low passes).