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Sighting Location

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Location: Santa Clara, California, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Monday Mar 27, 2023 through Tuesday Apr 11, 2023

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Mon Mar 27, 8:53 PM 2 min 11° 10° above N 11° above NNE  
Tue Mar 28, 9:40 PM 1 min 19° 10° above NNW 19° above NNW  
Wed Mar 29, 8:52 PM 3 min 20° 10° above NNW 19° above NE  
Thu Mar 30, 8:05 PM 4 min 15° 10° above NNW 10° above ENE  
Thu Mar 30, 9:41 PM 2 min 28° 10° above NW 28° above NW  
Fri Mar 31, 8:53 PM 4 min 47° 10° above NW 43° above ENE  
Sat Apr 1, 8:06 PM 6 min 29° 10° above NNW 11° above E  
Sat Apr 1, 9:42 PM 2 min 22° 10° above WNW 22° above W  
Sun Apr 2, 8:54 PM 4 min 51° 10° above WNW 36° above S  
Mon Apr 3, 8:06 PM 7 min 84° 10° above NW 9° above SE  
Tue Apr 4, 8:56 PM 4 min 16° 10° above W 10° above SSW  
Wed Apr 5, 8:08 PM 6 min 28° 10° above WNW 10° above SSE  
2023-03-28 03:53:00.0,Mon Mar 27, 8:53 PM,2 min,11°,10° above N,11° above NNE|2023-03-29 04:40:00.0,Tue Mar 28, 9:40 PM,1 min,19°,10° above NNW,19° above NNW|2023-03-30 03:52:00.0,Wed Mar 29, 8:52 PM,3 min,20°,10° above NNW,19° above NE|2023-03-31 03:05:00.0,Thu Mar 30, 8:05 PM,4 min,15°,10° above NNW,10° above ENE|2023-03-31 04:41:00.0,Thu Mar 30, 9:41 PM,2 min,28°,10° above NW,28° above NW|2023-04-01 03:53:00.0,Fri Mar 31, 8:53 PM,4 min,47°,10° above NW,43° above ENE|2023-04-02 03:06:00.0,Sat Apr 1, 8:06 PM,6 min,29°,10° above NNW,11° above E|2023-04-02 04:42:00.0,Sat Apr 1, 9:42 PM,2 min,22°,10° above WNW,22° above W|2023-04-03 03:54:00.0,Sun Apr 2, 8:54 PM,4 min,51°,10° above WNW,36° above S|2023-04-04 03:06:00.0,Mon Apr 3, 8:06 PM,7 min,84°,10° above NW,9° above SE|2023-04-05 03:56:00.0,Tue Apr 4, 8:56 PM,4 min,16°,10° above W,10° above SSW|2023-04-06 03:08:00.0,Wed Apr 5, 8:08 PM,6 min,28°,10° above WNW,10° above SSE|

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