This has been on my bucket list for a while, but I’ve never had the opportunity to witness it myself: seeing the International Space Station transit the Moon. And now thanks to my friend Gadi Eidelheit, I want to see it for myself even more! He captured video and imagery of the ISS scooting in front of the Moon, from Ganot, Israel.
“This was just about 10km from my house!” Gadi told me via email. “I used a Canon 700d with Sigma 18-250 for the first clip and Canon sx50HS for the second clip (maximum zoom which equivalent to 1200mm). To find the best place I used Heavens-Above and a little trial and error! I just choose different locations near my home until I found the correct spot.”
For the first part of the video you need to look closely, as the transit happens quite quickly. But then Gadi slows it down, and later zooms in on the action. It still happens quite quickly but it’s very fun to see.
Gadi is an amateur astronomer and blogger who always has interesting things to post on social media or on his blog. You’ve really got me motivated now, Gadi!!
It’s exciting on video. (Excellent presentation by Gadi.) The in-person view is even more dramatic — it’s scintillating and spine chilling.
Heavens Above can help a little with the planning. But calsky.com can give you guidance to a precision that would make Spock jealous . They can also coach you on stellar occultations and planetary transits by the ISS.
That is fantastic. I know first hand how tricky such a video or shot is to catch. Weather, location and timing of two moving objects, three if you count the Earth! Great video. Makes me want to try and catch it myself.
A shot I took of a commercial jet transiting the moon.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cF7GjFACVaSus_7RqiwdEvFBVNyasxfABAIOukDZJ7U?feat=directlink
Thanks. your photo is excellent! So well timing!