Skip to main content

Sighting Location

Select Location

Location: Temecula, California, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Monday Dec 2, 2024 through Wednesday Dec 18, 2024

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Mon Dec 2, 6:06 PM 4 min 85° 10° above NW 43° above SE  
Tue Dec 3, 5:17 PM 7 min 48° 10° above NW 10° above ESE  
Tue Dec 3, 6:56 PM 3 min 12° 10° above W 10° above SSW  
Wed Dec 4, 6:06 PM 5 min 23° 10° above WNW 10° above S  
Thu Dec 5, 5:17 PM 6 min 46° 10° above WNW 10° above SSE  
Sat Dec 7, 5:18 PM 4 min 14° 10° above W 10° above SSW  
Wed Dec 11, 5:54 AM 5 min 17° 10° above S 10° above E  
Fri Dec 13, 5:52 AM 7 min 60° 10° above SW 10° above NE  
Sat Dec 14, 5:03 AM 6 min 29° 10° above SSW 10° above ENE  
Sun Dec 15, 4:18 AM 1 min 14° 14° above ESE 10° above E  
Sun Dec 15, 5:51 AM 6 min 38° 13° above WSW 10° above NNE  
Mon Dec 16, 5:06 AM 3 min 49° 49° above NNE 10° above NE  
{ts '2024-12-03 02:06:00'},Mon Dec 2, 6:06 PM,4 min,85°,10° above NW,43° above SE|{ts '2024-12-04 01:17:00'},Tue Dec 3, 5:17 PM,7 min,48°,10° above NW,10° above ESE|{ts '2024-12-04 02:56:00'},Tue Dec 3, 6:56 PM,3 min,12°,10° above W,10° above SSW|{ts '2024-12-05 02:06:00'},Wed Dec 4, 6:06 PM,5 min,23°,10° above WNW,10° above S|{ts '2024-12-06 01:17:00'},Thu Dec 5, 5:17 PM,6 min,46°,10° above WNW,10° above SSE|{ts '2024-12-08 01:18:00'},Sat Dec 7, 5:18 PM,4 min,14°,10° above W,10° above SSW|{ts '2024-12-11 13:54:00'},Wed Dec 11, 5:54 AM,5 min,17°,10° above S,10° above E|{ts '2024-12-13 13:52:00'},Fri Dec 13, 5:52 AM,7 min,60°,10° above SW,10° above NE|{ts '2024-12-14 13:03:00'},Sat Dec 14, 5:03 AM,6 min,29°,10° above SSW,10° above ENE|{ts '2024-12-15 12:18:00'},Sun Dec 15, 4:18 AM,1 min,14°,14° above ESE,10° above E|{ts '2024-12-15 13:51:00'},Sun Dec 15, 5:51 AM,6 min,38°,13° above WSW,10° above NNE|{ts '2024-12-16 13:06:00'},Mon Dec 16, 5:06 AM,3 min,49°,49° above NNE,10° above NE|

The space station looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesn't have flashing lights or change direction. It will also be moving considerably faster than a typical airplane (airplanes generally fly at about 600 miles per hour; the space station flies at 17,500 miles per hour).

Below is a time-lapse photo of the space station moving across the sky.

The International Space Station is seen in this 30 second exposure as it flies over Elkton, VA early in the morning, Saturday, August 1, 2015. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls The International Space Station is seen in this 30 second exposure as it flies over Elkton, VA early in the morning, Saturday, August 1, 2015. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Visit the NASA Johnson Flickr Photostream

How do I Spot The Station?

What does all this sighting information mean?

Time is when the sighting opportunity will begin in your local time zone. All sightings will occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset. This is the optimum viewing period as the sun reflects off the space station and contrasts against the darker sky.

Visible is the maximum time period the space station is visible before crossing back below the horizon.

Max Height is measured in degrees (also known as elevation). It represents the height of the space station from the horizon in the night sky. The horizon is at zero degrees, and directly overhead is ninety degrees. If you hold your fist at arm's length and place your fist resting on the horizon, the top will be about 10 degrees.

Appears is the location in the sky where the station will be visible first. This value, like maximum height, also is measured in degrees from the horizon. The letters represent compass directions -- N is north, WNW is west by northwest, and so on.

Disappears represents where in the night sky the International Space Station will leave your field of view.

Astronomical Horizon chart. Click the link for a detailed description of the astronomical horizon and sighting alert messages.