The discussion centers on the incident where astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper dropped a toolbag during a spacewalk on November 18, 2008, which was later filmed from Earth. Kevin Fetter, a satellite observer from Brockville, Ontario, captured footage of the toolbag, which appeared to be at least 8th magnitude brightness, gliding past the star eta Pisces. The toolbag's trajectory is being monitored by Spaceweather's satellite tracker, allowing enthusiasts to track its visibility from various locations.
PREREQUISITESAstronomy enthusiasts, satellite observers, space mission analysts, and anyone interested in the dynamics of spacewalks and their equipment.
Slashdot said:"Dropped Shuttle Toolbag Filmed From Earth"
http://science.slashdot.org/science/08/11/23/2257240.shtml
cathector writes
"An article at spaceweather.com reports that the toolbag dropped during Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper's spacewalk
has been recorded on film (http://spaceweather.com/swpod2008/23nov08/33442.wmv) from earth: 'When Endeavour astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper dropped her toolbag during a spacewalk on Nov. 18th and it floated away, mission controllers probably figured they'd seen the last of it. Think again. Last night, Nov. 22nd, veteran satellite observer Kevin Fetter video-recorded the backpack-sized bag gliding over his backyard observatory in Brockville, Ontario. "It was easily 8th magnitude or brighter as it passed by the 4th magnitude star eta Pisces," he says. Spaceweather's satellite tracker is monitoring the toolbag.'"
The actual loss of the bag was filmed, too; reader Kagura links in a comment on the original story to this YouTube clip () of the bag's escape.