As dusk descended upon India, there was a once-in-a-lifetime moment in the skies. The International Space Station (ISS), with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on board, flew by overhead, impressing astronomers on the ground.
The photographs were captured from the vintage Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, located within Tamil Nadu's Palani Hills. For over a century, the observatory has tracked the Sun. This time, its gaze shifted to the night sky.
A Precise Celestial Capture
Dr. Chrisphin Karthick from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics tracked and photographed the ISS. He used the ISS Detector app to time the shot precisely. As the station raced past at 28,000 km/h, his camera, set to ISO 4000 with a shutter speed of 1/17 second, caught its trail.
From an altitude of 2,343 meters, the observatory offered a dust-free view. The space station appeared as a bright streak moving rapidly across the sky. Its altitude of 400 kilometres made it just visible to the naked eye.
A National Symbol in Orbit
Onboard the ISS, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla continued his mission. He is the first Indian to live aboard the space station. His work supports Indian science and global space research.
The ISS flyby, observed from Indian skies, was more than a technological achievement. It was a testament to India's growing presence in space exploration. The success of the observatory's picture contributed to its extensive history of astronomical successes.
The public also enjoyed the wonder. While Shukla flew overhead, the pictures provided a reminder of India's growing place among the stars.
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