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, so all of these should be good viewing!
Here are only three points with a few of the best sighting times. Please check out your local listings!
In Chicago, it will be visible Friday May 10 at 4:28 am for 6 minutes. It enters at 10d above WNW and leaves 10d above SE. Also Saturday May 11 at 3:39 am for 7 minutes. It enters 10d above NW and leaves 10d above SE. Sunday May 12 will be spectacular! 7 minutes beginning 9:07 pm, it enters 10s above WSW and leaves 10d above NE.
In Phoenix, the best times to see it are Thurs, May 9 at 4:51 am for 7 minutes. It will enter at 10d above NW and leave 10d above SE. Also Friday May 10 at 8:41 pm for 7 minutes. It enters at 10d above SW and leaves 10d above NE. Also Saturday May 11 at 7:52 pm for 7 minutes. It enters 10d above SW and leaves 10d above NE.
In Angers, France, it will be visible Saturday May 11 at 4:26 am for 7 minutes. It enters 10d above WNW and leave 10d above SE. Also Sunday May 12 at 11:33 pm for 7 minutes. It enters 10d above WSW and leaves 10d above ENE. Also Wednesday May 15 at 10:41 pm for 5 minutes. It enters 10d above W and leaves 10d above ENE.
A quick look at a few other places show Seattle on Sunday May 12 at 10:16 pm for 7 minutes very high entering at 10d above WSW and leaving 10d above ENE. In Reno, best time is Sunday May 12 at 8:39 pm for 7 minutes. It enters 10d above SW and leaves 10d above NE. In Austin best view is Friday May 10 at 9:06 pm for 7 minutes. It will appear 10d above SW and leave 10d above NE. In Norfolk, the best view is Saturday May 11 at 8:21 pm for 7 minutes. It enters 10d above WSW and leaves 10d above NE. And in San Diego, the best view is Friday, May 10 at 8:40 pm for 7 minutes. Very high, it enters 10d above SW and leaves 10d above NE. Go to the sight and look up your location, get the max height and longest visibility.
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 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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