Heads up! Super bright ISS pass over Canberra tonight. And more the next three nights.

Heads Up! We have the best string of long bright passes by the International Space Station for ages tonight and the next couple. We should manage at least one of them to be cloud free...All stats as at Canberra. For other areas, consult spaceflight.nasa.gov

Date: Monday, January 09, 2012 Time: 10:01 PM Duration: 6 minutes
Maximum Elevation: 46° Approach: 10° above WNW Departure: 10° above SE
****Magnitude -2.9 - very bright!

Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 Time: 09:04 PM Duration: 6 minutes
Maximum Elevation: 68° Approach: 11° above NW Departure: 10° above SE

Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Time: 09:44 PM Duration 5 minutes
Maximum Elevation: 24° Approach: 11° above W Departure: 10° above SSE

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012 Time: 08:47 PM Duration: 6 minutes
Maximum Elevation: 50° Approach: 10° above WNW Departure: 10° above SE

So - bright star, moving quickly - about the same as an airline jet at altitude. If you have a camera you can lock open and a tripod, you'll get a good star trail photo. Let me know how you go.

Meanwhile, check out this stunning photo taken by NASA photographer Lauren Harnett last week as the ISS passed in front of the nearly full moon. Make sure you click the photo to see it large!