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Sighting Location

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Location: Tampa, Florida, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Wednesday Apr 24, 2019 through Friday May 10, 2019

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Thu Apr 25, 6:28 AM 5 min 84° 11° above SW 28° above NE  
Fri Apr 26, 5:39 AM 3 min 38° 20° above S 26° above E  
Sat Apr 27, 4:51 AM 1 min 16° 16° above ESE 12° above E  
Sat Apr 27, 6:24 AM 5 min 24° 11° above W 10° above NNE  
Sun Apr 28, 5:35 AM 3 min 52° 47° above W 15° above NNE  
Mon Apr 29, 4:46 AM < 1 min 27° 27° above ENE 22° above NE  
Tue Apr 30, 5:30 AM 2 min 17° 17° above NW 11° above N  
Wed May 1, 4:41 AM 1 min 17° 17° above NNE 10° above NNE  
2019-04-25 10:28:00.0,Thu Apr 25, 6:28 AM,5 min,84°,11° above SW,28° above NE|2019-04-26 09:39:00.0,Fri Apr 26, 5:39 AM,3 min,38°,20° above S,26° above E|2019-04-27 08:51:00.0,Sat Apr 27, 4:51 AM,1 min,16°,16° above ESE,12° above E|2019-04-27 10:24:00.0,Sat Apr 27, 6:24 AM,5 min,24°,11° above W,10° above NNE|2019-04-28 09:35:00.0,Sun Apr 28, 5:35 AM,3 min,52°,47° above W,15° above NNE|2019-04-29 08:46:00.0,Mon Apr 29, 4:46 AM,< 1 min,27°,27° above ENE,22° above NE|2019-04-30 09:30:00.0,Tue Apr 30, 5:30 AM,2 min,17°,17° above NW,11° above N|2019-05-01 08:41:00.0,Wed May 1, 4:41 AM,1 min,17°,17° above NNE,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

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Page Editor: Bill Keeter NASA Official: Jacob Keaton