Orbiting overhead

So there we were on the backyard deck, Carol, Ian and I, Patches and E'owyn too though it was only the people staring at the northern sky as we watched the International Space Station (with the shuttle Discovery docked) passing by last evening. Granted the view was that of a bright star moving right along. It was a three minute sighting as dusk was on us. Still hasn't gotten old. This was the first time Ian had watched it and though he indicated it didn't seem that it should be a big deal he thought it was pretty cool to watch. Tonight at almost 8pm will be another sighting in generally the same location and time duration, 3 minutes, not quite as high, 17 degrees - last night was 36 degrees which is enough to till your head back a bit.

Photo from NASA: This scene gives evidence that the "work crews" have arrived at the International Space Station to continue the "home improvement" project. A Soyuz vehicle used to transport the station crewmembers is in the foreground, with the Space Shuttle Discovery visible just beneath it. Ten people are busy on the station, and two of them are preparing to exit the shirt sleeve environment to go outside for a March 19 spacewalk, on which the other crewmembers will be pitching in their support and technical assistance. (18 March 2009)