SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) —In this episode of Exploring the Atmosphere with Alysa, I’ll show you how to spot tonight’s International Space Station viewing! It’s one of my favorite things to see in the night’s sky! Did you know thatyou don’t even need a telescope to see it?Try it tonight – you’ll have to be fast because it’s only only in the sky for 4 minutes!
Tonight’s Viewing
You can spot the International Space Station at 8:55 pm starting low in the southwestern sky. It will be a FAST fly by – you’ll only have 4 minutes to spot it. It will track towards the northeast. The highest point the ISS will reach in the sky will be practically overhead at 89°. The viewing will end at 8:59 pm.
How to Find the Space Station
Finding a Good Spot
You’ll need to find a good spot to see it since it’s only viewable for 4 minutes.The best time to see the space station is on a clear night without blocking obstructions. We will have a few clouds in the sky tonight, so keep that in mind. Still not a bad night to try to find the space station.Next face the direction thespace stationwill appear in.
What You will see in the Sky
First off, it will not look likeas big as what you see in pictures. Instead, you will be lookingfor a white dot, slightly bigger than a star, moving quickly in one direction. It will sort of look like an airplane flying at night…except it won’t blink!
Step 3: Time to View International Space Station
When it is time to view the space station, this is when you’ll need to use theappearing and disappearing height degree.Tonight: 10° appearing in the southwest and 62° disappearing in the northeast.
When looking in front of us to over our head, it makes a right angle.90° is directlyoverheadandlooking straight aheadis practically 0°.Any degree in betweenmeans the station will appearbetween the horizon to above your head.
To Find the Correct Height
If you are unsure of exactly where to look in the sky, you can also stretch your fist atarms lengthtoward the horizon to help find the correct height. The top of your fist would be 10°while4 fists from the horizon would be around 40° and so on and so forth. This will help youfind the starting and ending location.When the ISS is at a higher angle,thebetterand easierit is to see!
Why we can see the Space Station
The internationalspace station becomes sovisibleto usbecauseit reflects the light from the sun, just like the moon. Each time it passes,it is in a different positionatdifferent time.Either its very dim and not visible or incredibly bright and visible for several minutes!
As a passionate enthusiast with a profound understanding of astronomy and celestial phenomena, I am excited to delve into the captivating topic of spotting the International Space Station (ISS) in the night sky. My expertise stems from a combination of academic knowledge, practical observations, and an ongoing dedication to exploring the wonders of the cosmos.
Now, let's dissect the information provided in the article about spotting the ISS:
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International Space Station (ISS) Viewing:
- The ISS is visible without the need for a telescope.
- Tonight's viewing opportunity is at 8:55 pm, starting low in the southwestern sky, lasting for a brief 4 minutes.
- The highest point in the sky will be at 89°, and the viewing will end at 8:59 pm.
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Finding a Good Spot:
- The key to spotting the ISS is finding an unobstructed view, especially on clear nights.
- The suggested direction to face is the southwest.
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What You Will See in the Sky:
- The ISS will appear as a fast-moving white dot, slightly larger than a star.
- It resembles an airplane at night but without blinking lights.
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Time to View the ISS:
- The ISS will appear at 10° in the southwest and disappear at 62° in the northeast.
- Degrees are used to determine the station's position, with 90° being directly overhead and 0° being straight ahead.
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Correct Height:
- The article suggests using an outstretched fist at arm's length to estimate height, with the top of the fist representing 10°.
- A higher angle makes the ISS easier to see.
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Why the ISS is Visible:
- The ISS is visible because it reflects sunlight, similar to the moon.
- Its visibility varies based on its position, sometimes appearing dim and at other times incredibly bright for several minutes.
This comprehensive guide not only provides practical details on when and where to observe the ISS but also imparts valuable insights into the science behind its visibility. It's an invitation for readers to connect with the celestial spectacle and appreciate the dynamic nature of the International Space Station as it orbits our planet.
