NEWSLINKS US EDITION COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Our Correspondent in New Delhi
The Mir space station was spotted over Indian skies on Monday night, and astronomers have said that the ageing spacecraft will be visible to the naked eye over New Delhi for the next three days.
Speaking to rediff.com, Nilesh Vayada, assistant secretary, Confederation of Indian Amateur Astronomers said, "We could see Mir passing like a bright star. It was visible through a pair of binoculars, and also the naked eye. It was visible for anywhere between 60 and 90 seconds."
The 15 year old space station, once the pride of the Soviet space programme, is expected to fall into Pacific Ocean on March 20, 2001.
"This is the last chance for Indians to see the second largest body orbiting the earth after the moon. Those who want to see Mir, should plan their observation and anticipate the position in the sky from where it will be visible," said Vayada.
"You can also take the help of amateur astronomers who know the sky fairly well. With the naked eye also it will be visible but then you have to anticipate its appearance," Vayada added.
Vayada said since the position of Mir was changing everyday, "we cannot say which other cities besides Delhi it will be visible from."
The Rediff Search on Astronomy
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
