Look Up: It's The Space Shuttle Atlantis!
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - After the space shuttle Atlantis arrives at the International Space Station for the last time, Earthlings will be able to see history (under the right conditions) just by looking up.
The International Space Station flies over Philadelphia between four and seven times a day, according to the Franklin Institute's Chief Astronomer, Derrick Pitts. He says there will be chances for you to see the space shuttle during its last mission without leaving home.
"There will be opportunities either before sunrise or just after sunset to see the space shuttle with the space station for the last time. It's an easy observation—no binoculars, no telescope needed, anybody can see it," Pitts explains.
Pitts says to go to NASA's website, and it will tell you when it's overhead and in what direction to look.
A small piece of The Franklin Institute is onboard the shuttle, too, a star-shaped piece of the original Fels Planetarium dome surface. It will be returned the Franklin Institute when the shuttle returns to Earth and will then be incorporated into a display.
Reported by John McDevitt, KYW Newsradio
