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Location: Houston, Texas, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Wednesday May 1, 2024 through Thursday May 16, 2024

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Wed May 8, 9:09 PM 1 min 18° 10° above S 18° above SSE  
Thu May 9, 5:19 AM 5 min 22° 10° above NNW 10° above E  
Thu May 9, 9:56 PM 6 min 39° 10° above WSW 14° above NNE  
Fri May 10, 4:30 AM 3 min 13° 10° above N 10° above ENE  
Fri May 10, 9:07 PM 7 min 85° 10° above SW 10° above NE  
Sat May 11, 5:16 AM 7 min 75° 10° above NW 10° above SE  
Sat May 11, 9:55 PM 4 min 14° 10° above WNW 10° above N  
Sun May 12, 4:28 AM 6 min 35° 13° above NNW 10° above ESE  
Sun May 12, 9:05 PM 6 min 24° 10° above W 10° above NNE  
Mon May 13, 5:19 AM 1 min 17° 17° above S 10° above S  
{ts '2024-05-09 02:09:00'},Wed May 8, 9:09 PM,1 min,18°,10° above S,18° above SSE|{ts '2024-05-09 10:19:00'},Thu May 9, 5:19 AM,5 min,22°,10° above NNW,10° above E|{ts '2024-05-10 02:56:00'},Thu May 9, 9:56 PM,6 min,39°,10° above WSW,14° above NNE|{ts '2024-05-10 09:30:00'},Fri May 10, 4:30 AM,3 min,13°,10° above N,10° above ENE|{ts '2024-05-11 02:07:00'},Fri May 10, 9:07 PM,7 min,85°,10° above SW,10° above NE|{ts '2024-05-11 10:16:00'},Sat May 11, 5:16 AM,7 min,75°,10° above NW,10° above SE|{ts '2024-05-12 02:55:00'},Sat May 11, 9:55 PM,4 min,14°,10° above WNW,10° above N|{ts '2024-05-12 09:28:00'},Sun May 12, 4:28 AM,6 min,35°,13° above NNW,10° above ESE|{ts '2024-05-13 02:05:00'},Sun May 12, 9:05 PM,6 min,24°,10° above W,10° above NNE|{ts '2024-05-13 10:19:00'},Mon May 13, 5:19 AM,1 min,17°,17° above S,10° above S|

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.