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Location: Santa Clara, California, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Friday Oct 22, 2021 through Saturday Nov 6, 2021

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Fri Oct 22, 5:44 AM 4 min 34° 27° above S 10° above ENE  
Sat Oct 23, 4:59 AM 1 min 15° 15° above E 10° above E  
Sat Oct 23, 6:32 AM 5 min 39° 17° above W 10° above NE  
Sun Oct 24, 5:47 AM 3 min 56° 56° above NNE 10° above NE  
Mon Oct 25, 5:03 AM 1 min 14° 14° above ENE 10° above NE  
Mon Oct 25, 6:36 AM 4 min 18° 14° above NW 10° above NNE  
Tue Oct 26, 5:50 AM 2 min 21° 21° above N 10° above NNE  
Wed Oct 27, 6:39 AM 1 min 10° 10° above NNW 10° above N  
Thu Oct 28, 5:53 AM 1 min 12° 12° above N 10° above N  
Tue Nov 2, 6:48 AM 1 min 10° 10° above N 10° above NNE  
Thu Nov 4, 6:49 AM 5 min 18° 10° above NNW 10° above ENE  
Fri Nov 5, 6:03 AM 3 min 13° 12° above N 10° above NE  
2021-10-22 12:44:00.0,Fri Oct 22, 5:44 AM,4 min,34°,27° above S,10° above ENE|2021-10-23 11:59:00.0,Sat Oct 23, 4:59 AM,1 min,15°,15° above E,10° above E|2021-10-23 13:32:00.0,Sat Oct 23, 6:32 AM,5 min,39°,17° above W,10° above NE|2021-10-24 12:47:00.0,Sun Oct 24, 5:47 AM,3 min,56°,56° above NNE,10° above NE|2021-10-25 12:03:00.0,Mon Oct 25, 5:03 AM,1 min,14°,14° above ENE,10° above NE|2021-10-25 13:36:00.0,Mon Oct 25, 6:36 AM,4 min,18°,14° above NW,10° above NNE|2021-10-26 12:50:00.0,Tue Oct 26, 5:50 AM,2 min,21°,21° above N,10° above NNE|2021-10-27 13:39:00.0,Wed Oct 27, 6:39 AM,1 min,10°,10° above NNW,10° above N|2021-10-28 12:53:00.0,Thu Oct 28, 5:53 AM,1 min,12°,12° above N,10° above N|2021-11-02 13:48:00.0,Tue Nov 2, 6:48 AM,1 min,10°,10° above N,10° above NNE|2021-11-04 13:49:00.0,Thu Nov 4, 6:49 AM,5 min,18°,10° above NNW,10° above ENE|2021-11-05 13:03:00.0,Fri Nov 5, 6:03 AM,3 min,13°,12° above N,10° above NE|

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