Satellite Tracking Software

by Red Haines

NOVA tracks the many artificial satellites and a few celestial bodies and displays the position, track, and the visible footprint along with statistics such as current azimuth, elevation, time of rising, time of setting, max elevation and more. It synchronizes the computer clock with NIST and downloads the SPACE TRAC orbital elements on command (you must be registered with SPACE TRAC, which is not a problem).

Go to Northern Lights Software Associates and select NOVA for Windows under demos for a free demo that functions well. Registration, which is optional, is $60, $50 for AMSAT members.

NOVA can track an unlimited number of satellites, but more than a few will seriously clutter the display. Limit the selection to the ISS, expected IR birds, and a couple others that you might wish to observe. In the setup for maps, request 1 track for each bird.

Also, in the setup, enter the lat, long. and elevation (in meters) of your observing location.