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Sighting Location

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Location: Johnson Space Center, Texas, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Wednesday Jan 15, 2020 through Friday Jan 31, 2020

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Wed Jan 15, 7:52 PM < 1 min 10° 10° above SSW 10° above SSW  
Thu Jan 16, 7:05 PM 2 min 24° 10° above S 24° above SSE  
Fri Jan 17, 6:18 PM 3 min 13° 10° above SSE 10° above E  
Fri Jan 17, 7:55 PM < 1 min 19° 19° above W 19° above W  
Sat Jan 18, 7:07 PM 3 min 69° 23° above SW 47° above NNE  
Sun Jan 19, 6:17 PM 6 min 54° 10° above SSW 10° above NE  
Sun Jan 19, 7:56 PM < 1 min 11° 10° above WNW 11° above NW  
Mon Jan 20, 7:08 PM 3 min 20° 17° above WNW 15° above N  
Tue Jan 21, 6:21 PM 4 min 35° 30° above WNW 11° above NNE  
Thu Jan 23, 6:21 PM 3 min 12° 10° above WNW 10° above N  
2020-01-16 01:52:00.0,Wed Jan 15, 7:52 PM,< 1 min,10°,10° above SSW,10° above SSW|2020-01-17 01:05:00.0,Thu Jan 16, 7:05 PM,2 min,24°,10° above S,24° above SSE|2020-01-18 00:18:00.0,Fri Jan 17, 6:18 PM,3 min,13°,10° above SSE,10° above E|2020-01-18 01:55:00.0,Fri Jan 17, 7:55 PM,< 1 min,19°,19° above W,19° above W|2020-01-19 01:07:00.0,Sat Jan 18, 7:07 PM,3 min,69°,23° above SW,47° above NNE|2020-01-20 00:17:00.0,Sun Jan 19, 6:17 PM,6 min,54°,10° above SSW,10° above NE|2020-01-20 01:56:00.0,Sun Jan 19, 7:56 PM,< 1 min,11°,10° above WNW,11° above NW|2020-01-21 01:08:00.0,Mon Jan 20, 7:08 PM,3 min,20°,17° above WNW,15° above N|2020-01-22 00:21:00.0,Tue Jan 21, 6:21 PM,4 min,35°,30° above WNW,11° above NNE|2020-01-24 00:21:00.0,Thu Jan 23, 6:21 PM,3 min,12°,10° above WNW,10° above N|

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