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Sighting Location

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Location: Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

The following ISS sightings are possible from Monday Mar 25, 2024 through Wednesday Apr 10, 2024

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Mon Mar 25, 7:38 PM 5 min 80° 10° above WNW 23° above ESE  
Mon Mar 25, 9:15 PM 1 min 18° 10° above W 18° above WSW  
Tue Mar 26, 8:27 PM 4 min 34° 10° above W 32° above S  
Wed Mar 27, 7:38 PM 6 min 48° 10° above W 18° above SE  
Wed Mar 27, 9:17 PM < 1 min 11° 10° above WSW 11° above WSW  
Thu Mar 28, 8:28 PM 3 min 17° 10° above W 16° above SSW  
Fri Mar 29, 7:39 PM 6 min 25° 10° above W 10° above SSE  
Sun Mar 31, 8:40 PM 3 min 12° 10° above WSW 10° above SSW  
{ts '2024-03-25 19:38:00'},Mon Mar 25, 7:38 PM,5 min,80°,10° above WNW,23° above ESE|{ts '2024-03-25 21:15:00'},Mon Mar 25, 9:15 PM,1 min,18°,10° above W,18° above WSW|{ts '2024-03-26 20:27:00'},Tue Mar 26, 8:27 PM,4 min,34°,10° above W,32° above S|{ts '2024-03-27 19:38:00'},Wed Mar 27, 7:38 PM,6 min,48°,10° above W,18° above SE|{ts '2024-03-27 21:17:00'},Wed Mar 27, 9:17 PM,< 1 min,11°,10° above WSW,11° above WSW|{ts '2024-03-28 20:28:00'},Thu Mar 28, 8:28 PM,3 min,17°,10° above W,16° above SSW|{ts '2024-03-29 19:39:00'},Fri Mar 29, 7:39 PM,6 min,25°,10° above W,10° above SSE|{ts '2024-03-31 19:40:00'},Sun Mar 31, 8:40 PM,3 min,12°,10° above WSW,10° above SSW|

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.