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Will Shenzhou 7 be visible in Hong Kong?
In its 3 to 5-day journey, Shenzhou 7 will pass over many places on the Earth including Hong Kong. However, we can see the spacecraft only when it passes over our sky during dusk or dawn with sunlight reflected on it. According to the preliminary orbital parameter, no such chance will happen throughout the 3 to 5-day mission. Therefore, the whole Shenzhou 7 spacecraft cannot be seen in Hong Kong.
Besides, the Orbit Module is expected to fall back and burn up in the atmosphere instead of staying in the orbit for a prolonged period. The following table shows the opportunities of sighting the Orbit Module if it remains in the original orbit. As the Returning Module will separate from the Orbit Module, the sighting conditions may change then.
| Date |
Magnitude |
Start |
Max. Altitude |
End |
| Time |
Alt. |
Az. |
Time |
Alt. |
Az. |
Time |
Alt. |
Az. |
| 1 Oct |
6.4 |
19:57:07 |
10 |
325 |
19:57:10 |
10 |
325 |
19:57:10 |
10 |
325 |
| 2 Oct |
5.3 |
18:42:20 |
10 |
2 |
18:43:41 |
13 |
31 |
18:45:03 |
10 |
59 |
| 3 Oct |
3.6 |
19:00:46 |
10 |
325 |
19:03:28 |
39 |
36 |
19:04:17 |
30 |
78 |
| 4 Oct |
4.1 |
19:20:21 |
10 |
294 |
19:23:02 |
40 |
221 |
19:23:42 |
34 |
184 |
| 5 Oct |
6.4 |
19:42:14 |
10 |
230 |
19:42:29 |
10 |
225 |
19:42:43 |
10 |
220 |
¡° Please be reminded that the orbit of Shenzhou VII will be adjusted from time to time. You are advised to check the lastest observing information.
"Alt." (altitude) refers to the angle of the spacecraft from the horizon. The altitude is 0 degree if the spacecraft is at the horizon and 90 degrees if it is at the zenith.
"Az." (azimuth) refers to the direction of the spacecraft counting clockwise from the north. The azimuth is 0 degree if the spacecraft is in the north and 180 degrees if it is in the south. |
