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Sighting Location

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Location: Luton, England, United Kingdom

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, 4:38 PM 3 min 28° 28° above SSW 11° above SSE  
Fri Dec 13, 4:39 PM 1 min 13° 13° above SSW 10° above S  
Sat Dec 21, 6:56 AM 1 min 13° 10° above S 13° above SSE  
Mon Dec 23, 6:54 AM 3 min 27° 10° above SSW 27° above SE  
Tue Dec 24, 6:06 AM 3 min 19° 11° above S 19° above SE  
Wed Dec 25, 5:19 AM 2 min 13° 10° above S 12° above SE  
Wed Dec 25, 6:53 AM 4 min 48° 10° above SW 37° above ESE  
Thu Dec 26, 6:06 AM 3 min 36° 17° above SSW 29° above ESE  
2019-12-11 16:38:00.0,Wed Dec 11, 4:38 PM,3 min,28°,28° above SSW,11° above SSE|2019-12-13 16:39:00.0,Fri Dec 13, 4:39 PM,1 min,13°,13° above SSW,10° above S|2019-12-21 06:56:00.0,Sat Dec 21, 6:56 AM,1 min,13°,10° above S,13° above SSE|2019-12-23 06:54:00.0,Mon Dec 23, 6:54 AM,3 min,27°,10° above SSW,27° above SE|2019-12-24 06:06:00.0,Tue Dec 24, 6:06 AM,3 min,19°,11° above S,19° above SE|2019-12-25 05:19:00.0,Wed Dec 25, 5:19 AM,2 min,13°,10° above S,12° above SE|2019-12-25 06:53:00.0,Wed Dec 25, 6:53 AM,4 min,48°,10° above SW,37° above ESE|2019-12-26 06:06:00.0,Thu Dec 26, 6:06 AM,3 min,36°,17° above SSW,29° above ESE|

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