Q. Can the ISS astronauts see tonight's Geminid meteor shower?
NASA: Yes - but they are orbiting at 250 miles above the Earth, and the meteors are at about 47 miles. So the astronauts on the ISS would have to look DOWN towards the Earth to see the meteor shower instead of up.
I'm going to bed now ... (grin)
Clint, K6LCS
I think a more important question would be:
Q. Will the astronauts on the ISS get hit by the Geminid Meteor Shower???
Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY CN94 - raining
----- Original Message ----- From: "Clint Bradford" clintbradford@mac.com
Q. Can the ISS astronauts see tonight's Geminid meteor shower?
NASA: Yes - but they are orbiting at 250 miles above the Earth, and the meteors are at about 47 miles. So the astronauts on the ISS would have to look DOWN towards the Earth to see the meteor shower instead of up.
I'm going to bed now ... (grin)
Clint, K6LCS _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
... Will the astronauts on the ISS get hit by the Geminid Meteor Shower???
I asked NASA that last night. They were not particularly worried that these 1-to-10mm-sized particles would wreak havoc with the ISS - even though they are travelling at about 80,000 MPH.
Clint
*I* would be worried... the typical 9mm handgun has a muzzle velocity of about 1200 feet per second, and the bullet leaves the barrel with a kinetic energy of around 380 ft-lbs of force (about 520 joules). Consider the havoc that bullet can wreak.
Now think about a 10 mm meteorite particle moving 22 MILES per second, and what kind of force THAT would have...........
George, KA3HSW
----- Original Message ----- From: "Clint Bradford" clintbradford@mac.com To: "Jeff Moore" tnetcenter@gmail.com Cc: "AMSAT BB" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 1:41 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: No, Clint's Not Drinking ...
... Will the astronauts on the ISS get hit by the Geminid Meteor Shower???
I asked NASA that last night. They were not particularly worried that these 1-to-10mm-sized particles would wreak havoc with the ISS - even though they are travelling at about 80,000 MPH.
Clint _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (3)
-
Clint Bradford -
George Henry -
Jeff Moore