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Sighting Location

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Location: Fairfax, Virginia, United States

The following ISS sightings are possible from Monday Mar 27, 2023 through Tuesday Apr 11, 2023

Date Visible Max Height Appears Disappears Share Event
Mon Mar 27, 8:46 PM 3 min 13° 10° above NNW 11° above NE  
Tue Mar 28, 7:58 PM 2 min 11° 10° above N 10° above NNE  
Tue Mar 28, 9:34 PM 2 min 23° 10° above NW 23° above N  
Wed Mar 29, 8:46 PM 4 min 21° 10° above NNW 19° above NE  
Wed Mar 29, 10:22 PM < 1 min 12° 10° above WNW 12° above WNW  
Thu Mar 30, 7:58 PM 4 min 16° 10° above NNW 10° above ENE  
Thu Mar 30, 9:34 PM 2 min 39° 10° above NW 39° above NW  
Fri Mar 31, 8:47 PM 4 min 48° 10° above NW 34° above E  
Sat Apr 1, 7:59 PM 6 min 30° 10° above NW 10° above E  
Sat Apr 1, 9:36 PM 3 min 28° 10° above WNW 28° above WSW  
Sun Apr 2, 8:48 PM 5 min 54° 10° above WNW 28° above SSE  
Tue Apr 4, 8:50 PM 5 min 17° 10° above W 10° above S  
2023-03-28 00:46:00.0,Mon Mar 27, 8:46 PM,3 min,13°,10° above NNW,11° above NE|2023-03-28 23:58:00.0,Tue Mar 28, 7:58 PM,2 min,11°,10° above N,10° above NNE|2023-03-29 01:34:00.0,Tue Mar 28, 9:34 PM,2 min,23°,10° above NW,23° above N|2023-03-30 00:46:00.0,Wed Mar 29, 8:46 PM,4 min,21°,10° above NNW,19° above NE|2023-03-30 02:22:00.0,Wed Mar 29, 10:22 PM,< 1 min,12°,10° above WNW,12° above WNW|2023-03-30 23:58:00.0,Thu Mar 30, 7:58 PM,4 min,16°,10° above NNW,10° above ENE|2023-03-31 01:34:00.0,Thu Mar 30, 9:34 PM,2 min,39°,10° above NW,39° above NW|2023-04-01 00:47:00.0,Fri Mar 31, 8:47 PM,4 min,48°,10° above NW,34° above E|2023-04-01 23:59:00.0,Sat Apr 1, 7:59 PM,6 min,30°,10° above NW,10° above E|2023-04-02 01:36:00.0,Sat Apr 1, 9:36 PM,3 min,28°,10° above WNW,28° above WSW|2023-04-03 00:48:00.0,Sun Apr 2, 8:48 PM,5 min,54°,10° above WNW,28° above SSE|2023-04-05 00:50:00.0,Tue Apr 4, 8:50 PM,5 min,17°,10° above W,10° above S|

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