The International Space Station Will Have a Closer View of the Sun

This week, the International Space Station will approach the sun, having a closer view of this massive star. On January 5th, ISS will be passing in front of the incandescent star, having a fantastic view of the star which keeps us all alive. Apparently, those living in the Denver Metro area will have the opportunity to take a look at the International Space Station.

• The International Space Station will have a closer view of the sun.
• Residents from Denver who want to witness the event need to be equipped.
• They will need to wear special glasses to protect against the powerful light.

Scientists at Denver Astronomical Society have designed a map revealing the path which is followed by ISS when passing across the sun through Denver. If the weather permits them, residents from the area who live within fourteen miles of the line draw on the map will be able to see the International Space Station.

Those who are willing to witness such a unique event need to use specialized equipment to take a look at the solar transit. Residents in the area will probably need a telescope with a solar filter or binoculars equipped with a solar filter. This screen is meant to protect the eye from the powerful rays. Ron Hranac, the president of the Denver Astronomical Society, claimed that the sun is extremely bright and looking at it without protection might impair people’s view.

It is advisable for everyone who wants to witness this spectacular event to protect their eyes from the powerful light. The damages which could be caused may be severe. The bright light may even cause temporary blindness or permanent damage of a watcher’s view. Hranac also stated that there are also other challenges concerning this event.

Even if people prepare to see the event using welding glass or an eclipse filter, they might not get that lucky because the ISS will represent only one or two percent of the size of the star when it passes in front of it. It will be complicated to spot the International Space Station. What is more, the space station will move fast. Those who are willing to see this will only have one or two seconds to view it.

Hranac noted that if residents prepare for the event and will be equipped with the necessary technology, a simple blink will ruin their opportunity. The passage will last only a second, so if someone looks away, he or she will miss it.

Image source: flickr