International Space Station will be in the skies above your house on these dates; when and where to watch in major US cities
The International Space Station (ISS) will be visible in the night sky across the United States over the next several days, at the end of July, offering a great viewing opportunity for skywatchers. The ISS adds to the celestial show as summer nights bring clear skies and stargazing events like meteor showers and lunar eclipses.The station orbits the Earth every 93 minutes, traveling at about 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 mph).
Also Read: Europe and US doors shut, North Korean air hostesses welcome Russian guests after medical check as Moscow resumes Pyongyang flight It doesn't pass over the same spot each time due to its orbital inclination of 51.6 degrees to the equator. Still, it circles the planet 15.5 times daily, and it can be spotted frequently at certain times of year.
In Los Angeles, the ISS will be visible twice Monday night, first at 8:43 PM PT, then again at 10:17 PM. The next opportunity comes Tuesday at 9:29 PM, with similar viewing times continuing through July 27 and 28.In New York, residents can catch the station tonight and tomorrow at 10:11 PM ET and 9:22 PM, respectively. Additional sightings are expected on July 28 and 30.This viewing opportunity is not limited to the coasts; people across the US will have chances to watch the ISS this week.
You won't need a telescope or binoculars. The ISS is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. It is around the size of an American football field and orbits 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth, reflecting sunlight. It appears as a steady, fast-moving white light gliding across the sky, not blinking or flashing like a plane.
To track the ISS and know precisely when it will be visible from your location, you can use NASA's official Spot the Station tracker or download their mobile app, which sends notifications about upcoming flyovers.
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