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Sighting Location

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Location: Zanzibar, Tanzania

The following ISS sightings are possible from Friday Nov 29, 2024 through Saturday Dec 14, 2024

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Thu Dec 5, 7:12 PM 1 min 13° 10° above NNE 13° above NNE  
Fri Dec 6, 7:59 PM 6 min 40° 10° above NW 10° above SSE  
Sat Dec 7, 7:10 PM 7 min 75° 10° above NNW 10° above SE  
Mon Dec 9, 7:10 PM 5 min 20° 10° above WNW 10° above S  
Tue Dec 10, 5:06 AM 6 min 26° 10° above S 10° above ENE  
Wed Dec 11, 4:19 AM 3 min 12° 10° above SSE 10° above ESE  
Thu Dec 12, 5:05 AM 6 min 52° 10° above SW 10° above NNE  
Fri Dec 13, 4:22 AM 1 min 16° 16° above NE 10° above NE  
{ts '2024-12-05 16:12:00'},Thu Dec 5, 7:12 PM,1 min,13°,10° above NNE,13° above NNE|{ts '2024-12-06 16:59:00'},Fri Dec 6, 7:59 PM,6 min,40°,10° above NW,10° above SSE|{ts '2024-12-07 16:10:00'},Sat Dec 7, 7:10 PM,7 min,75°,10° above NNW,10° above SE|{ts '2024-12-09 16:10:00'},Mon Dec 9, 7:10 PM,5 min,20°,10° above WNW,10° above S|{ts '2024-12-10 02:06:00'},Tue Dec 10, 5:06 AM,6 min,26°,10° above S,10° above ENE|{ts '2024-12-11 01:19:00'},Wed Dec 11, 4:19 AM,3 min,12°,10° above SSE,10° above ESE|{ts '2024-12-12 02:05:00'},Thu Dec 12, 5:05 AM,6 min,52°,10° above SW,10° above NNE|{ts '2024-12-13 01:22:00'},Fri Dec 13, 4:22 AM,1 min,16°,16° above NE,10° above NE|

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