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Sighting Location

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Location: Washington, DC, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Monday Sep 26, 2022 through Tuesday Oct 11, 2022

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Tue Sep 27, 8:47 PM 1 min 15° 10° above NNW 15° above N  
Wed Sep 28, 7:59 PM 3 min 13° 10° above NNW 10° above NE  
Wed Sep 28, 9:34 PM < 1 min 12° 10° above NW 12° above NW  
Thu Sep 29, 8:46 PM 2 min 25° 10° above NW 25° above N  
Fri Sep 30, 7:57 PM 4 min 21° 10° above NNW 18° above NE  
Fri Sep 30, 9:34 PM < 1 min 12° 10° above WNW 12° above WNW  
Sat Oct 1, 8:45 PM 2 min 46° 10° above NW 46° above NW  
Sun Oct 2, 7:57 PM 5 min 44° 10° above NW 29° above E  
Mon Oct 3, 8:46 PM 3 min 32° 10° above WNW 32° above WSW  
Tue Oct 4, 7:58 PM 5 min 62° 10° above WNW 25° above SSE  
Wed Oct 5, 8:48 PM 2 min 11° 10° above WSW 10° above SW  
Thu Oct 6, 7:59 PM 5 min 20° 10° above W 10° above S  
Fri Oct 7, 7:10 PM 6 min 35° 10° above WNW 10° above SSE  
Sun Oct 9, 7:12 PM 3 min 12° 10° above WSW 10° above SSW  
2022-09-28 00:47:00.0,Tue Sep 27, 8:47 PM,1 min,15°,10° above NNW,15° above N|2022-09-28 23:59:00.0,Wed Sep 28, 7:59 PM,3 min,13°,10° above NNW,10° above NE|2022-09-29 01:34:00.0,Wed Sep 28, 9:34 PM,< 1 min,12°,10° above NW,12° above NW|2022-09-30 00:46:00.0,Thu Sep 29, 8:46 PM,2 min,25°,10° above NW,25° above N|2022-09-30 23:57:00.0,Fri Sep 30, 7:57 PM,4 min,21°,10° above NNW,18° above NE|2022-10-01 01:34:00.0,Fri Sep 30, 9:34 PM,< 1 min,12°,10° above WNW,12° above WNW|2022-10-02 00:45:00.0,Sat Oct 1, 8:45 PM,2 min,46°,10° above NW,46° above NW|2022-10-02 23:57:00.0,Sun Oct 2, 7:57 PM,5 min,44°,10° above NW,29° above E|2022-10-04 00:46:00.0,Mon Oct 3, 8:46 PM,3 min,32°,10° above WNW,32° above WSW|2022-10-04 23:58:00.0,Tue Oct 4, 7:58 PM,5 min,62°,10° above WNW,25° above SSE|2022-10-06 00:48:00.0,Wed Oct 5, 8:48 PM,2 min,11°,10° above WSW,10° above SW|2022-10-06 23:59:00.0,Thu Oct 6, 7:59 PM,5 min,20°,10° above W,10° above S|2022-10-07 23:10:00.0,Fri Oct 7, 7:10 PM,6 min,35°,10° above WNW,10° above SSE|2022-10-09 23:12:00.0,Sun Oct 9, 7:12 PM,3 min,12°,10° above WSW,10° above SSW|

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