Skip to main content

Sighting Location

Select Location

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Friday Sep 24, 2021 through Sunday Oct 10, 2021

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Thu Sep 30, 8:55 PM 1 min 12° 10° above NNW 12° above NNW  
Fri Oct 1, 8:08 PM 2 min 14° 10° above N 14° above NNE  
Sat Oct 2, 8:57 PM 1 min 18° 10° above NW 18° above NW  
Sun Oct 3, 8:09 PM 3 min 31° 10° above NNW 31° above NE  
Mon Oct 4, 7:22 PM 5 min 20° 10° above NNW 12° above ENE  
Mon Oct 4, 8:59 PM 1 min 22° 10° above WNW 22° above WNW  
Tue Oct 5, 8:11 PM 4 min 79° 10° above NW 60° above SSE  
Wed Oct 6, 7:24 PM 6 min 55° 10° above NW 12° above ESE  
Wed Oct 6, 9:02 PM 1 min 11° 10° above WSW 11° above WSW  
Thu Oct 7, 8:14 PM 5 min 21° 10° above WNW 13° above S  
Fri Oct 8, 7:26 PM 6 min 39° 10° above WNW 10° above SSE  
2021-10-01 02:55:00.0,Thu Sep 30, 8:55 PM,1 min,12°,10° above NNW,12° above NNW|2021-10-02 02:08:00.0,Fri Oct 1, 8:08 PM,2 min,14°,10° above N,14° above NNE|2021-10-03 02:57:00.0,Sat Oct 2, 8:57 PM,1 min,18°,10° above NW,18° above NW|2021-10-04 02:09:00.0,Sun Oct 3, 8:09 PM,3 min,31°,10° above NNW,31° above NE|2021-10-05 01:22:00.0,Mon Oct 4, 7:22 PM,5 min,20°,10° above NNW,12° above ENE|2021-10-05 02:59:00.0,Mon Oct 4, 8:59 PM,1 min,22°,10° above WNW,22° above WNW|2021-10-06 02:11:00.0,Tue Oct 5, 8:11 PM,4 min,79°,10° above NW,60° above SSE|2021-10-07 01:24:00.0,Wed Oct 6, 7:24 PM,6 min,55°,10° above NW,12° above ESE|2021-10-07 03:02:00.0,Wed Oct 6, 9:02 PM,1 min,11°,10° above WSW,11° above WSW|2021-10-08 02:14:00.0,Thu Oct 7, 8:14 PM,5 min,21°,10° above WNW,13° above S|2021-10-09 01:26:00.0,Fri Oct 8, 7:26 PM,6 min,39°,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