How to catch an aircraft crossing the Moon
- Type a place, click “My location” or pick a spot on the map.
- Choose the Moon, the Sun or both.
- Watch the list of passes: countdown, offset from the centre of the disc and crossing time.
- On the map the green band shows where the aircraft will cross the disc. Move towards its centre line for a central transit.
- Focus on the disc beforehand and start a burst or a video a few seconds before the countdown reaches zero.
- In the “Satellites” tab check ISS, Tiangong and Hubble passes for 7 or 14 days. Click a pass to see its transit path and the best spot on the map.
Questions
Where do the aircraft positions come from?
From ADS-B receiver networks: adsb.lol, airplanes.live and adsb.fi. Data refreshes every 5 seconds.
How accurate is the forecast?
It assumes a straight flight at constant speed. 1–2 minutes before the pass it is usually accurate to a second and a few dozen metres; earlier forecasts may change if the aircraft turns.
How wide is the transit path?
Usually from a few hundred metres to about 2 km. The lower the disc and the farther the aircraft, the wider the path.
How long does the crossing last?
Usually 0.3 to 2 seconds, so record a video or a burst of photos.
Can I photograph a transit of the Sun?
Yes, but only with a certified solar filter fitted in front of the lens or telescope.
Where do the ISS passes come from?
From current orbital elements (TLE) from CelesTrak, propagated with SGP4. The station’s orbit changes, so check a transit again the day before.
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