Shuttle passed by New Zealand on final approach to the space station

Early this morning at 4:20 a.m New Zealand time shuttle  "Atlantis" on mission STS-129 passed over New Zealand as it approached the International Space Station only about an hour and a half before docking.

Through binoculars the shuttle could be seen as a smaller bright light just below the Space Station which was much brighter. It was about 3500 feet (just under 1000 metres) away at the time and closing rapidly.

The shuttle is scheduled to remain docked to the Station until 25 November, and there will be sighting opportunities in the early morning for those in the southern North Island or in the South Island of the combined craft till then and the two separately after that.  Predictions can be obtained from http://www.heavens-above.com or http://www.calsky.com.

The shuttle is due to return to earth early on 28 November New Zealand time.