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Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The following ISS sightings are possible from Monday Jul 26, 2021 through Tuesday Aug 10, 2021

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Mon Jul 26, 10:39 PM 5 min 56° 10° above WNW 25° above SE  
Tue Jul 27, 9:52 PM 7 min 77° 10° above WNW 11° above ESE  
Tue Jul 27, 11:29 PM 2 min 18° 10° above W 18° above SW  
Wed Jul 28, 10:42 PM 4 min 27° 10° above W 21° above S  
Thu Jul 29, 9:54 PM 6 min 39° 10° above W 13° above SE  
Fri Jul 30, 10:45 PM 3 min 12° 10° above WSW 10° above SSW  
Sat Jul 31, 9:57 PM 5 min 18° 10° above W 10° above S  

The following Nauka sightings are possible from Monday Jul 26, 2021 through Tuesday Aug 10, 2021

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Tue Jul 27, 10:07 PM 5 min 61° 10° above WNW 16° above SE  
Tue Jul 27, 11:44 PM 1 min 11° 10° above WSW 11° above WSW  
Wed Jul 28, 10:45 PM 4 min 23° 10° above W 19° above S  
2021-07-27 05:39:00.0,Mon Jul 26, 10:39 PM,5 min,56°,10° above WNW,25° above SE|2021-07-28 04:52:00.0,Tue Jul 27, 9:52 PM,7 min,77°,10° above WNW,11° above ESE|2021-07-28 06:29:00.0,Tue Jul 27, 11:29 PM,2 min,18°,10° above W,18° above SW|2021-07-29 05:42:00.0,Wed Jul 28, 10:42 PM,4 min,27°,10° above W,21° above S|2021-07-30 04:54:00.0,Thu Jul 29, 9:54 PM,6 min,39°,10° above W,13° above SE|2021-07-31 05:45:00.0,Fri Jul 30, 10:45 PM,3 min,12°,10° above WSW,10° above SSW|2021-08-01 04:57:00.0,Sat Jul 31, 9:57 PM,5 min,18°,10° above W,10° above S|

What am I looking for in the sky?

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.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Page Editor: Bill Keeter NASA Official: Jacob Keaton