by Robert Wilkinson
Welcome to a spectacular view that happens more than you think! Yes, the ISS is still passing overhead every night somewhere on Earth, and it’s awe-inspiring if you haven’t seen it. I found the link to when it will pass overhead anywhere in the world, how high it is in the sky, and what directions it will come from and leave, via NASA.
This site is a great resource to bookmark, since it tells you when it is in your neighborhood doing a flyby anywhere on Earth. Check it out, since the station really is spectacular, moving very fast as a very bright object in the night sky for anywhere from 1-6 minutes.
For your enjoyment, here's The Time the Space Station Will Pass Overhead Around the World.
As the entire horizon is only 180 degrees, then it’s highest in the sky when it’s at least 45-88 degrees high. It enters from a certain direction, usually not high in the sky, and leaves a different direction, often not high in the sky. As long as the sky is clear where you are, if it has elevation, you’ll have a great viewing experience. I saw the ISS pass close overhead a few years ago when I lived in NM, and it’s spectacular! It was at peak elevation, and looked like a starship cruising overhead.
The times are exact when it comes to its appearance and subsidence, so you’ll get at most 3-5 minutes, but they will be fairly dramatic when it is passing at a high angle overhead. Anything over about 30 degrees high will be really great.
Look for a light appearing from the direction it enters, moving across the sky toward the direction it will exit. It’s awe-inspiring and reminds us of the possibilities of what is and what could be.
© Copyright 2019 Robert Wilkinson
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