

If the ISS is passing very high above the horizon, then that is when it appears at its most glorious because it reflects most of the Sun’s light.

This is the reason why it doesn’t always appear as glorious as it passes your head. The way the Sun reflects the light is actually what makes the ISS visible. The only thing you need to know is when to look for it, as it is visible at specific points in time while it passes through your location. It isn’t so difficult to spot the ISS since you will recognize it quickly. The best time to view the ISS is during night time, or when the Sun is setting or rising.Īs the years have passed, the ISS has become larger and larger as upgrades were added, and thus, it became even brighter as well. You can view it with your naked eyes while it transits the sky at thousands of miles per hour.Īs a giant metallic object, measuring 110m x 100m x 30m, the ISS is highly reflective and therefore visible to the naked eye. It is easily spotted, as it is the third brightest object that appears during nighttime. The International Space Station can be viewed from various locations around the planet. Increasing magnification to about 250x will reveal the solar panels and other components.Ĭan you see an astronaut? Just kidding, let’s dive right in and see what the best conditions for observing the ISS are and how you can find it in the night sky! A quick guide to spotting the ISS To see it more clearly, use a telescope or binoculars with a magnification of 100x or more. It orbits our planets about 15 times a day, so as long as you’re in the orbit path, it’s relatively easy to spot. You can see the ISS with your naked eye from many points on Earth. It is visible to the naked, and you can track it! Here’s how you can observe the ISS It is the most significant artificial object in the sky, and easily the biggest satellite in low orbit. The International Space Station is owned by NASA, CSA, Roscosmos, ESA, and JAXA.
