Science

NASA news: Space agency unveils stunning photo of ISS transiting Sun


US-based space agency NASA has unveiled a unique composite of the ISS against the Sun’s fiery backdrop. The International Space Station is usually only visible at night. Slowly drifting across the night sky as it orbits the Earth, the ISS is normally seen only as a bright spot about once a month.

The ISS is then visible only just after sunset or just before sunrise because it shines by reflected sunlight – once the ISS enters the Earth’s shadow, it will drop out of sight.

The only occasion when the ISS is visible during the day is when it passes right in front of the Sun.

Then, the orbiting observatory hurtles past so fast only short exposures can visually freeze the ISS’s silhouette onto the background Sun.

Today’s NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day did exactly that.

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The 360-ton space station is a little larger than a five-bedroom house, just much longer and narrower.

The iconic space laboratory has enough room for six sleeping quarters, a gym, a 360-degree viewing window, and areas to conduct a vast array of science experiments.

NASA spokesperson Stephanie Schierholz said: ”We’ve had continuous human presence on the space station for 19 years now.

“It is an unprecedented international collaboration among nations.”

Construction of the International Space Station began in November 1998, through a partnership between Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the US.

Pieces of the station were sent to space on 42 assembly flights, 37 US space shuttles and five Russian rockets.

The most recent major instrument sent to ISS was an Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer now mounted on the side to facilitate particle physics experiments.

The International Space Station is powered by an acre of solar panels, making it one of the brightest objects in the sky.

Stargazers can actually view the ISS with the naked eye and it looks like a very fast-moving plane high in the sky.

The station’s orbital path takes it over 90 percent of the world’s population, and NASA even publishes a schedule for when it is visible from your city.

Working in outer space for six months has its challenges.

Microgravity means that crew members have many obstacles to their regular routines, from eating to sleeping.

ISS has no refrigeration, meaning all food has to be stored carefully and is often vacuum-packed.

Some foods come in special forms, such as spaghetti which requires added water or rehydratable scrambled eggs.

And even salt and pepper arrive in liquid form because the powered form would fly away without gravity.

Former space station Commander Shane Kimbrough revealed: ”There’s a lot of things you’ve got to think about and manage while you’re eating up here.”

In the absence of regular showers and sinks, astronauts and cosmonauts use rinseless soap and shampoo and spit their toothpaste into washcloths.

The crew also has to use special toilets featuring leg restraints and a vacuum for waste.



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