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Sighting Location

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Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Friday May 14, 2021 through Saturday May 29, 2021

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Fri May 14, 7:56 PM 6 min 25° 10° above S 10° above ENE  
Fri May 14, 9:32 PM 6 min 25° 10° above W 10° above NNE  
Sat May 15, 4:04 AM 7 min 53° 10° above NW 10° above ESE  
Sat May 15, 8:44 PM 6 min 43° 10° above WSW 10° above NNE  
Sun May 16, 3:17 AM 6 min 30° 10° above NNW 10° above ESE  
Sun May 16, 7:57 PM 7 min 83° 10° above SW 10° above NE  
Sun May 16, 9:36 PM 2 min 11° 10° above NW 10° above N  
Mon May 17, 2:33 AM 1 min 17° 17° above ENE 10° above E  
Mon May 17, 4:07 AM 6 min 38° 15° above WNW 10° above SSE  
Mon May 17, 8:47 PM 4 min 16° 10° above WNW 10° above N  
Tue May 18, 7:59 PM 6 min 25° 10° above W 10° above NNE  
Thu May 20, 8:03 PM 2 min 11° 10° above NW 10° above N  
Tue May 25, 10:37 PM 1 min 11° 10° above N 11° above N  
Thu May 27, 10:38 PM 1 min 17° 10° above NNW 17° above NNW  
Fri May 28, 9:51 PM 2 min 19° 10° above NNW 19° above NNE  
2021-05-15 02:56:00.0,Fri May 14, 7:56 PM,6 min,25°,10° above S,10° above ENE|2021-05-15 04:32:00.0,Fri May 14, 9:32 PM,6 min,25°,10° above W,10° above NNE|2021-05-15 11:04:00.0,Sat May 15, 4:04 AM,7 min,53°,10° above NW,10° above ESE|2021-05-16 03:44:00.0,Sat May 15, 8:44 PM,6 min,43°,10° above WSW,10° above NNE|2021-05-16 10:17:00.0,Sun May 16, 3:17 AM,6 min,30°,10° above NNW,10° above ESE|2021-05-17 02:57:00.0,Sun May 16, 7:57 PM,7 min,83°,10° above SW,10° above NE|2021-05-17 04:36:00.0,Sun May 16, 9:36 PM,2 min,11°,10° above NW,10° above N|2021-05-17 09:33:00.0,Mon May 17, 2:33 AM,1 min,17°,17° above ENE,10° above E|2021-05-17 11:07:00.0,Mon May 17, 4:07 AM,6 min,38°,15° above WNW,10° above SSE|2021-05-18 03:47:00.0,Mon May 17, 8:47 PM,4 min,16°,10° above WNW,10° above N|2021-05-19 02:59:00.0,Tue May 18, 7:59 PM,6 min,25°,10° above W,10° above NNE|2021-05-21 03:03:00.0,Thu May 20, 8:03 PM,2 min,11°,10° above NW,10° above N|2021-05-26 05:37:00.0,Tue May 25, 10:37 PM,1 min,11°,10° above N,11° above N|2021-05-28 05:38:00.0,Thu May 27, 10:38 PM,1 min,17°,10° above NNW,17° above NNW|2021-05-29 04:51:00.0,Fri May 28, 9:51 PM,2 min,19°,10° above NNW,19° 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