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Sighting Location

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Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Wednesday Jul 8, 2020 through Friday Jul 24, 2020

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Sat Jul 11, 4:39 AM < 1 min 11° 10° above N 11° above N  
Mon Jul 13, 4:39 AM 2 min 27° 11° above NNW 27° above NNE  
Mon Jul 13, 9:19 PM 6 min 88° 10° above SW 11° above NE  
Tue Jul 14, 3:52 AM 2 min 16° 10° above NNW 16° above NNE  
Tue Jul 14, 8:31 PM 6 min 44° 10° above SSW 11° above ENE  
Tue Jul 14, 10:09 PM 4 min 16° 11° above WNW 11° above N  
Wed Jul 15, 3:05 AM < 1 min 10° 10° above N 10° above N  
Wed Jul 15, 4:40 AM 6 min 83° 10° above NW 11° above SE  
Wed Jul 15, 9:20 PM 5 min 26° 11° above W 11° above NNE  
Thu Jul 16, 3:52 AM 6 min 49° 11° above NW 10° above ESE  
Thu Jul 16, 8:32 PM 6 min 46° 10° above WSW 10° above NE  
Fri Jul 17, 3:04 AM 5 min 27° 11° above NNW 11° above E  
Fri Jul 17, 4:41 AM 5 min 21° 10° above WNW 10° above S  
Fri Jul 17, 9:25 PM < 1 min 10° 10° above N 10° above N  
Sat Jul 18, 3:58 AM < 1 min 14° 14° above SSE 12° above SSE  
Sat Jul 18, 8:37 PM 2 min 16° 16° above NNW 10° above NNE  
2020-07-11 11:39:00.0,Sat Jul 11, 4:39 AM,< 1 min,11°,10° above N,11° above N|2020-07-13 11:39:00.0,Mon Jul 13, 4:39 AM,2 min,27°,11° above NNW,27° above NNE|2020-07-14 04:19:00.0,Mon Jul 13, 9:19 PM,6 min,88°,10° above SW,11° above NE|2020-07-14 10:52:00.0,Tue Jul 14, 3:52 AM,2 min,16°,10° above NNW,16° above NNE|2020-07-15 03:31:00.0,Tue Jul 14, 8:31 PM,6 min,44°,10° above SSW,11° above ENE|2020-07-15 05:09:00.0,Tue Jul 14, 10:09 PM,4 min,16°,11° above WNW,11° above N|2020-07-15 10:05:00.0,Wed Jul 15, 3:05 AM,< 1 min,10°,10° above N,10° above N|2020-07-15 11:40:00.0,Wed Jul 15, 4:40 AM,6 min,83°,10° above NW,11° above SE|2020-07-16 04:20:00.0,Wed Jul 15, 9:20 PM,5 min,26°,11° above W,11° above NNE|2020-07-16 10:52:00.0,Thu Jul 16, 3:52 AM,6 min,49°,11° above NW,10° above ESE|2020-07-17 03:32:00.0,Thu Jul 16, 8:32 PM,6 min,46°,10° above WSW,10° above NE|2020-07-17 10:04:00.0,Fri Jul 17, 3:04 AM,5 min,27°,11° above NNW,11° above E|2020-07-17 11:41:00.0,Fri Jul 17, 4:41 AM,5 min,21°,10° above WNW,10° above S|2020-07-18 04:25:00.0,Fri Jul 17, 9:25 PM,< 1 min,10°,10° above N,10° above N|2020-07-18 10:58:00.0,Sat Jul 18, 3:58 AM,< 1 min,14°,14° above SSE,12° above SSE|2020-07-19 03:37:00.0,Sat Jul 18, 8:37 PM,2 min,16°,16° above NNW,10° above NNE|

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