Science

How to spot the space station from your city

It looks like a bright, steady star moving quickly — here's when and where to look.

How to spot the space station from your city

Photo: Unsplash · Unsplash License

The International Space Station is often visible without a telescope, if you know when to look.

Look near dawn or dusk

It shines by reflected sunlight, so it is easiest to see when your sky is dark but the station is still lit.

It doesn't blink

Unlike a plane, it has no flashing lights: a steady point crossing the sky in a few minutes.

Check a pass time

Space agencies publish sighting times for your city, including direction and height.

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