Part 5/11:
- Parallax Effects: During a transit (when the ISS crosses the Sun or Moon), observers at different locations see it shift slightly in position—a phenomenon called parallax. This shift only makes sense if the object is at a measurable distance, far beyond the Sun or Moon’s surface. Calculations based on parallax demonstrate that the ISS is approximately 400 kilometers above Earth, not something close or capable of being projected onto a celestial body’s surface.
The Brightness and Nature of the ISS
Another common misconception involves the brightness of the ISS. Some believe it reflects light as intensely as the Sun, which would make it visible over vast distances or even illuminate the ground beneath it.
Scientific observations tell a different story: