Paper Plate Education
"Serving the Universe on a Paper Plate"

Activity: Satellite Tracking Dish

This and several other activities from the Paper Plate Astronomy videotape and DVD are now available online as
free streaming video!

Create a device that depicts the path of visible satellites, the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle.

On the inside of a foam bowl, which will later be held over one’s head, label cardinal points and draw 360 degrees of local horizon features in their respective positions. (Note: Hefty® foam bowls have scalloped edges that conveniently are 10 degrees apart. Label the azimuth in 10-degree increments.) From the edge of the bowl to the center, subdivide and label zero- to 90-degrees of azimuth.

Obtain current predictions on satellite passes for your location from the Heavens-Above website at http://www.heavens-above.com. Plot the predicted track across the bowl and label each line with time and satellite name.

Sample track of International Space Station (ISS) courtesy of Chris Peat.

Also see NASA Human Space Flight for real time data and tips for viewing the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle.

Contributed by Chuck Bueter.

GLPA Proceedings, 1999; pp. 35-36.

[Note: This activity is included in the Paper Plate Astronomy video/DVD/streaming video.]

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