Earth orbit remains one of the best vantage points for learning more about the workings of our planet's intertwined natural systems, as well as the impacts of human actions. Tonight we may be able to get a look at one of the platforms for these types of research. Weather permitting, the Space Station will be seen to pass directly over New York City. It will emerge from the southwestern horizon at 8:32, fly in a more- or-less straight line directly overhead at 8:35, and disappear into the northeastern horizon around 8:38.
This particular trajectory is pretty rare -- while the space station can frequently be seen from New York, it hardly ever passes directly overhead. The Space Station appears to move through the sky a little faster than an airplane, and for part of the pass could possibly be mistaken for a commercial jet. But not for long -- ISS doesn't have red and green blinking lights, and as it gets closer to zenith it will appear bigger and brighter than it was on the horizon, unlike any other plane flying overhead. At its peak, when it is directly 218 miles overhead, the Space Station should be as big and bright as the planet Jupiter. It will then arc to the northeast and fade from view.
Get outside a few minutes before 8:32 and watch for ISS to emerge from the southwestern sky.
If you miss it tonight, you can see a shabbier performance tomorrow, from 8:55 to 9:00. At that time, ISS will skim the northern horizon and will peak only about halfway up the sky.
Of course, all this depends on the sky being clear....
The International Space Station (ISS) is backdropped over Miami, Florida, in this 35mm frame photographed by STS-108 Commander DomInic Gorie aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2001. Photo credit: NASA
