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Sighting Location

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Location: Luton, England, United Kingdom

The following ISS sightings are possible from Wednesday Dec 12, 2018 through Friday Dec 28, 2018

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Wed Dec 12, 4:22 PM 3 min 46° 42° above SW 11° above SE  
Wed Dec 12, 5:59 PM 1 min 12° 12° above SW 10° above SSW  
Thu Dec 13, 5:07 PM 2 min 19° 19° above SSW 10° above SSE  
Sun Dec 23, 6:48 AM < 1 min 11° 10° above SSE 11° above SSE  
Mon Dec 24, 7:30 AM 3 min 31° 10° above SW 31° above SSE  
Tue Dec 25, 6:39 AM 2 min 21° 11° above SSW 21° above SE  
Wed Dec 26, 5:47 AM 2 min 14° 10° above S 14° above SE  
Wed Dec 26, 7:22 AM 4 min 50° 10° above SW 38° above ESE  
Thu Dec 27, 6:30 AM 4 min 36° 10° above SW 32° above SE  
2018-12-12 16:22:00.0,Wed Dec 12, 4:22 PM,3 min,46°,42° above SW,11° above SE|2018-12-12 17:59:00.0,Wed Dec 12, 5:59 PM,1 min,12°,12° above SW,10° above SSW|2018-12-13 17:07:00.0,Thu Dec 13, 5:07 PM,2 min,19°,19° above SSW,10° above SSE|2018-12-23 06:48:00.0,Sun Dec 23, 6:48 AM,< 1 min,11°,10° above SSE,11° above SSE|2018-12-24 07:30:00.0,Mon Dec 24, 7:30 AM,3 min,31°,10° above SW,31° above SSE|2018-12-25 06:39:00.0,Tue Dec 25, 6:39 AM,2 min,21°,11° above SSW,21° above SE|2018-12-26 05:47:00.0,Wed Dec 26, 5:47 AM,2 min,14°,10° above S,14° above SE|2018-12-26 07:22:00.0,Wed Dec 26, 7:22 AM,4 min,50°,10° above SW,38° above ESE|2018-12-27 06:30:00.0,Thu Dec 27, 6:30 AM,4 min,36°,10° above SW,32° above SE|

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