astro_pettit OP t1_jbxkhjh wrote on March 12, 2023 at 2:34 PM

Reply to comment by DragonWhsiperer in I captured this lightning-filled star trail from the International Space Station. More details in comments! by astro_pettit

The star trails move due to the ISS pitch axis which makes one rotation every orbit. If you look left or right of your trajectory, stars go in circles; look forwards and stars go in straight lines.

duck_of_d34th t1_jby26go wrote on March 12, 2023 at 4:42 PM

Whoa. Now here's a question I've never considered: which way is the ISS going and/or facing? Is there a "front," or is that determined by the direction of travel?

You said pitch, so is the ISS kinda rolling(like a ball, not side to side tilting lol) around the planet?

N4gual t1_jby69gp wrote on March 12, 2023 at 5:10 PM

>Whoa. Now here's a question I've never considered: which way is the ISS going and/or facing? Is there a "front," or is that determined by the direction of travel?

Yea

[deleted] t1_jby955a wrote on March 12, 2023 at 5:30 PM

[removed]

MadMelvin t1_jbypdtq wrote on March 12, 2023 at 7:21 PM

What are the other curves that seem to cross the star trails in the upper left? Is that a rotating panel of the station itself?

KristnSchaalisahorse t1_jbys4zs wrote on March 12, 2023 at 7:41 PM

Yes, those are reflections from one of the station’s solar arrays, somewhat more clearly seen in this other star trail shot of his.