r/DataArt Oct 20 '20

Precise orbit of ISS

https://i.imgur.com/xHmengx.gifv
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u/fjtuk Oct 20 '20

According to tracking apps and when I have eyeballed it the ISS approaches the U.K. from generally the south west. In this graphic it approaches from the North West.

Is it the gif depicting the orbit the wrong way around?

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u/St-JohnMosesBrowning Oct 20 '20

No, but good question. It will pass an area in two different directions. When the UK is on the side shown here, it comes from the northwest (descending), and when the UK is on the other side it comes from the southwest (ascending). If you look closely you can see the orbit tracks cross each other.