Around the world in 93 minutes...

The ISS (International Space Station), also known by its original name, Zarya, flew directly over my backyard this morning. :)

Larger version HERE.

Let's do the twist...

Looking south over Easts Beach:

Milky Way

Our home galaxy over my home town. :)

Stairway to Heaven

Iridium flare

Iridium flare over Kiama harbour, 8 April 2013

This an image I have been trying to make for several weeks, but something always managed to intrude on the idea - life, family, work, weather, always something! And the day before I finally managed this, the prediction for an even brighter flare than this, off the Iridium 82 satellite, failed to materialise (Iridium 82 turned up at the right time, but must have spun out of control or recently failed, because it was very dim and remained so - there was no flare).

The night that I took this, it was almost completely overcast when I left the house. But I was determined to at least try. I set up 45 minutes early and acted all stubborn. And it worked! 10 minutes before the satellite pass, it started clearing, and fast! The above is the result of my stubbornness (I mean determination ;) ). This is Iridium 18, flaring as predicted:

South

Star trails, caused by the Earth's rotation, curve around the south celestial pole. True South is the bullseye in the middle. :)

Comet PANSTARRS and departing airplane

Comet PANSTARRS and an aircraft departing Sydney airport can be seen over suburban power lines on the night of 6 March 2013.