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Sighting Location

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Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Wednesday Dec 7, 2022 through Thursday Dec 22, 2022

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Wed Dec 7, 7:16 PM 4 min 16° 10° above W 10° above SSW  
Thu Dec 8, 6:27 PM 6 min 30° 10° above WNW 10° above SSE  
Thu Dec 15, 6:19 AM 4 min 15° 10° above SSE 10° above E  
Sat Dec 17, 6:17 AM 7 min 51° 10° above SSW 10° above ENE  
Sun Dec 18, 5:30 AM 5 min 25° 16° above S 10° above ENE  
Mon Dec 19, 6:19 AM 5 min 43° 26° above W 10° above NNE  
Tue Dec 20, 5:34 AM 2 min 26° 26° above NE 10° above NE  
Wed Dec 21, 6:21 AM 2 min 16° 16° above NNW 10° above N  
2022-12-08 02:16:00.0,Wed Dec 7, 7:16 PM,4 min,16°,10° above W,10° above SSW|2022-12-09 01:27:00.0,Thu Dec 8, 6:27 PM,6 min,30°,10° above WNW,10° above SSE|2022-12-15 13:19:00.0,Thu Dec 15, 6:19 AM,4 min,15°,10° above SSE,10° above E|2022-12-17 13:17:00.0,Sat Dec 17, 6:17 AM,7 min,51°,10° above SSW,10° above ENE|2022-12-18 12:30:00.0,Sun Dec 18, 5:30 AM,5 min,25°,16° above S,10° above ENE|2022-12-19 13:19:00.0,Mon Dec 19, 6:19 AM,5 min,43°,26° above W,10° above NNE|2022-12-20 12:34:00.0,Tue Dec 20, 5:34 AM,2 min,26°,26° above NE,10° above NE|2022-12-21 13:21:00.0,Wed Dec 21, 6:21 AM,2 min,16°,16° above NNW,10° above N|

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