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Sighting Location

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Location: Charlestown, Rhode Island, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Monday Feb 6, 2023 through Tuesday Feb 21, 2023

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Mon Feb 6, 5:58 PM 4 min 15° 10° above W 10° above SSW  
Wed Feb 15, 5:53 AM 5 min 18° 10° above S 10° above E  
Thu Feb 16, 5:06 AM 1 min 10° 10° above SE 10° above ESE  
Fri Feb 17, 5:52 AM 6 min 52° 10° above SW 10° above ENE  
Sat Feb 18, 5:04 AM 5 min 29° 15° above S 10° above ENE  
Sun Feb 19, 4:19 AM 2 min 17° 17° above SE 10° above E  
Sun Feb 19, 5:52 AM 7 min 56° 10° above WSW 10° above NE  
Mon Feb 20, 5:06 AM 4 min 86° 48° above SW 10° above NE  
Tue Feb 21, 4:19 AM 2 min 26° 26° above ENE 10° above ENE  
Tue Feb 21, 5:52 AM 5 min 27° 13° above WNW 10° above NE  
2023-02-06 22:58:00.0,Mon Feb 6, 5:58 PM,4 min,15°,10° above W,10° above SSW|2023-02-15 10:53:00.0,Wed Feb 15, 5:53 AM,5 min,18°,10° above S,10° above E|2023-02-16 10:06:00.0,Thu Feb 16, 5:06 AM,1 min,10°,10° above SE,10° above ESE|2023-02-17 10:52:00.0,Fri Feb 17, 5:52 AM,6 min,52°,10° above SW,10° above ENE|2023-02-18 10:04:00.0,Sat Feb 18, 5:04 AM,5 min,29°,15° above S,10° above ENE|2023-02-19 09:19:00.0,Sun Feb 19, 4:19 AM,2 min,17°,17° above SE,10° above E|2023-02-19 10:52:00.0,Sun Feb 19, 5:52 AM,7 min,56°,10° above WSW,10° above NE|2023-02-20 10:06:00.0,Mon Feb 20, 5:06 AM,4 min,86°,48° above SW,10° above NE|2023-02-21 09:19:00.0,Tue Feb 21, 4:19 AM,2 min,26°,26° above ENE,10° above ENE|2023-02-21 10:52:00.0,Tue Feb 21, 5:52 AM,5 min,27°,13° above WNW,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