[This page under construction!]

Tracking and observing spacecraft in orbit has been a popular hobby from the start of the Space Age with the launch of Sputnik. Today thousands of spacecraft orbit around our planet. Many of those in low earth orbit (LEO) are bright enough to be seen by the naked eye as they streak across the night sky.

Some of the largest spacecraft, such as Space Shuttles and the International Space Station (ISS), have even been imaged by amateur telescopes in  considerable detail.

The ISS is exceptionally bright and easy to see on a clear night. Finding when it will  cross over your location is quite easy. NASA’s Spot The Station website, for example, offers an app for your phone that will update you on the time of crossing as well as the direction and how high it will pass above the horizon.

Many astronomy apps such as SkySafari and Stellarium provide updates on dates and times which the ISS and other spacecraft will cross over your location.

 

Find more about tracking spacecraft in the HobbySpace Satellite Observing section.

Resources:

• Heavens-Above
• ISS observation:
  • Spot The Station | NASA
  • Track the ISS — How and where to see it | Space.com
  • ISS observation | Astroviewer
  • Space Station viewing and sighting info for your location