Two glimpses of the International Space Station

Here is a time-lapse sequence including two overhead passes by the International Space Station [ISS].  Both passes begin in the lower-left corner of the frame and end in the upper right.

The first pass occurs between 0:46 and 0:47, and the second pass between 1:05 and 1:07.  The station appears as a streak of light in these 4-second exposures.

The International Space Station [center of green circle] overhead, pass 1, at 7:17 PM on 8 Feb 2013.  Green arrow indicates direction of travel.  Visible in the frame for about 1 second.

The International Space Station [center of green circle] overhead, pass 1, at 7:17 PM on 8 Feb 2013.  Green arrow indicates direction of travel.  Visible in the frame for about 1 second.

Pass 2, at 8:06 PM on 8 Feb 2013.  Green arrow indicates direction of travel.  Visible in the frame for about 2 seconds.

Pass 2, at 8:06 PM on 8 Feb 2013.  Green arrow indicates direction of travel.  Visible in the frame for about 2 seconds.

The ISS, whose first component, the Zarya module, was launched in 1998, now has approximately a dozen pressurized sections connected and orbiting about 250 miles [402 km] above the surface of the earth [drawing from NASA]:

Major components of the International Space Station [shown as of May 2011].

Major components of the International Space Station [shown as of May 2011].

Lenticular cloud

Lenticular clouds appear when strong winds form standing waves over hills or mountains and moisture in the air passing over the high point condenses as the air cools.

This cloud appears to spin in place over the foothills and is illuminated by the rising sun out of the shot to the left.