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International Space Station caught in the act:

Amateur Astronomer Videotapes ISS From Backyard

Dirk Ewers video of ISS
Click this still image from Dirk Ewers' video to view the 900 KB movie of the International Space Station in orbit.
Courtesy spaceweather.com
The International Space Station was flying in space more than 200 miles above amateur astronomer Dirk Ewers' backyard at Hofgeismar, Germany, on May 12, 2008, when he used his small 5-inch refractor telescope to videotape the orbiting station.

Grabbing such footage used to require a high-powered telescope on the ground or a satellite orbiting nearby. Today, however, as a result of construction of the ISS, the enlarged space station is an easy target for amateur backyard telescopes.

Many shuttle flights have added equipment and sections to the ISS, making the station larger. In fact, the station is so bright with reflected sunlight it even is easier to spot with the naked eye.

Ewers tracked the ISS across the sky for five minutes. His video capture of the entire 75° transit is here »».

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