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Location: Dortmund, Germany

The following ISS sightings are possible from Wednesday Dec 11, 2019 through Friday Dec 27, 2019

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Wed Dec 11, 5:40 PM 2 min 19° 19° above SSW 10° above S  
Thu Dec 12, 4:51 PM 2 min 26° 26° above SSW 11° above SSE  
Sat Dec 14, 4:52 PM < 1 min 11° 11° above SSW 10° above S  
Sat Dec 21, 7:56 AM 2 min 23° 11° above SSW 23° above SSE  
Sun Dec 22, 7:08 AM 2 min 16° 10° above S 16° above SSE  
Mon Dec 23, 6:21 AM 1 min 11° 10° above SSE 11° above SE  
Mon Dec 23, 7:55 AM 4 min 43° 10° above SW 39° above SE  
Tue Dec 24, 7:07 AM 3 min 31° 10° above SW 31° above SE  
Wed Dec 25, 6:19 AM 3 min 22° 11° above SSW 21° above SE  
Wed Dec 25, 7:54 AM 5 min 71° 10° above WSW 20° above E  
Thu Dec 26, 5:33 AM 1 min 16° 16° above SE 14° above ESE  
Thu Dec 26, 7:06 AM 4 min 56° 10° above WSW 34° above E  
2019-12-11 16:40:00.0,Wed Dec 11, 5:40 PM,2 min,19°,19° above SSW,10° above S|2019-12-12 15:51:00.0,Thu Dec 12, 4:51 PM,2 min,26°,26° above SSW,11° above SSE|2019-12-14 15:52:00.0,Sat Dec 14, 4:52 PM,< 1 min,11°,11° above SSW,10° above S|2019-12-21 06:56:00.0,Sat Dec 21, 7:56 AM,2 min,23°,11° above SSW,23° above SSE|2019-12-22 06:08:00.0,Sun Dec 22, 7:08 AM,2 min,16°,10° above S,16° above SSE|2019-12-23 05:21:00.0,Mon Dec 23, 6:21 AM,1 min,11°,10° above SSE,11° above SE|2019-12-23 06:55:00.0,Mon Dec 23, 7:55 AM,4 min,43°,10° above SW,39° above SE|2019-12-24 06:07:00.0,Tue Dec 24, 7:07 AM,3 min,31°,10° above SW,31° above SE|2019-12-25 05:19:00.0,Wed Dec 25, 6:19 AM,3 min,22°,11° above SSW,21° above SE|2019-12-25 06:54:00.0,Wed Dec 25, 7:54 AM,5 min,71°,10° above WSW,20° above E|2019-12-26 04:33:00.0,Thu Dec 26, 5:33 AM,1 min,16°,16° above SE,14° above ESE|2019-12-26 06:06:00.0,Thu Dec 26, 7:06 AM,4 min,56°,10° above WSW,34° above E|

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

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