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Sighting Location

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Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Friday Oct 15, 2021 through Saturday Oct 30, 2021

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Mon Oct 18, 5:39 AM 4 min 15° 10° above SSE 10° above E  
Wed Oct 20, 5:40 AM 7 min 59° 10° above SSW 10° above NE  
Thu Oct 21, 4:55 AM 4 min 30° 23° above SSE 10° above ENE  
Fri Oct 22, 4:11 AM 1 min 13° 13° above E 10° above E  
Fri Oct 22, 5:43 AM 5 min 34° 17° above W 10° above NNE  
Sat Oct 23, 4:59 AM 3 min 47° 47° above NNE 10° above NE  
Sun Oct 24, 4:14 AM < 1 min 11° 11° above NE 10° above NE  
Sun Oct 24, 5:48 AM 2 min 13° 13° above NW 10° above N  
Mon Oct 25, 5:03 AM 1 min 14° 14° above N 10° above NNE  
2021-10-18 12:39:00.0,Mon Oct 18, 5:39 AM,4 min,15°,10° above SSE,10° above E|2021-10-20 12:40:00.0,Wed Oct 20, 5:40 AM,7 min,59°,10° above SSW,10° above NE|2021-10-21 11:55:00.0,Thu Oct 21, 4:55 AM,4 min,30°,23° above SSE,10° above ENE|2021-10-22 11:11:00.0,Fri Oct 22, 4:11 AM,1 min,13°,13° above E,10° above E|2021-10-22 12:43:00.0,Fri Oct 22, 5:43 AM,5 min,34°,17° above W,10° above NNE|2021-10-23 11:59:00.0,Sat Oct 23, 4:59 AM,3 min,47°,47° above NNE,10° above NE|2021-10-24 11:14:00.0,Sun Oct 24, 4:14 AM,< 1 min,11°,11° above NE,10° above NE|2021-10-24 12:48:00.0,Sun Oct 24, 5:48 AM,2 min,13°,13° above NW,10° above N|2021-10-25 12:03:00.0,Mon Oct 25, 5:03 AM,1 min,14°,14° above N,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