An amazing achievement of mankind, it is the International Space Station (ISS) orbits the Earth at 17,500 miles per hour, and yet, to us, it seemed stationary. Every 90 minutes or so, it travels around our planet and is visible to those who know how to track the ISS. But tracking the ISS is much simpler than you would think, whether you are an astronomy geek, a novice here to learn the basics, or just want to experience something out of this world.
With this beginner’s guide, you will be ready to find out how to track the ISS, the tools you can use to do so, and when and where you can see the ISS from your location. It can be a great, even an educational thing, to track the ISS, and with a little bit of preparation, you may be able to see the wonderful orbiting lab as it passes overhead.
The ISS is a large spacecraft that orbits the Earth about 250 miles. As a research station, astronauts can test their scientific experiments in microgravity and aim to better understand human biology and how materials science affects humans. The crew of the ISS is made up of countries all around the world, using an international collection of experts in advancing technology and research.
More than just an exciting hobby, keeping abreast of tracking the ISS gives you that little bit of connection to the developments and milestones in space exploration. You’d never be able to look up at the night sky to see this amazing piece of technology sailing over your head. Therefore, knowing how to track the ISS enables you to see the space station in real time as it passes quietly through your sky.
The ISS is usually visible to the naked eye, which makes it one of the simplest things to observe in the night sky. The good news? No telescope or special apparatus is required to see it! But do know when and where to look.
As it orbits the planet so quickly, the ISS will only be observable during certain daytime hours. Shortly after sunset or just before sunrise, when illuminated by the Sun and visible against the darkened sky, it is most noticeable.
The hours the station will be overhead your location will vary each day because of its constantly changing orbit. As it orbits the Earth, it may appear anywhere in the sky, traveling from the horizon in one direction and disappearing in another. The best way to find out when and where to look is to use a reliable ISS tracker.
You will have to know which direction the ISS will be moving if you plan to track it. The space station tends to be visible in the east early in the morning or the west early in the evening because it tends to orbit the planet west to east. Nevertheless, depending on your geographical location and time of day, the exact direction might be altered by the continually changing orbit of the ISS.
It has become simpler than ever to track the ISS using contemporary technology. You can observe the ISS in real-time through different websites, programs, and technologies. These inform you of the exact times the ISS will fly over your location and the elevation and duration it will be seen.
The easiest way to track the ISS is by using an internet tracker. The current position of the space station can be viewed on several websites and tools. NASA's "Spot the Station" website is one of the most popular. Besides a schedule of when the ISS will be visible in your area, this site provides an interactive map that shows the current position of the ISS.
You can track the ISS while mobile through various smartphone apps as well as websites. For individuals who want to receive real-time notice when the space station passes above their location, these apps are perfect. There are many popular apps such as ISS Tracker, GoISSWatch, and ISS Spotter.
NASA's social media sites, such as its Twitter account @nasa_iss, also often give notice of upcoming ISS flyovers for people who prefer receiving updates through social media. Other similar accounts from astronomy organizations and space enthusiasts can be followed by you as well. Social media platforms are a good way to stay updated on recent happenings.
Another alternative, if you cannot watch the ISS in real life, is to tune in to live video streams. The orbit of the ISS around the world is broadcast in real time by NASA and other space agencies. These streams can be accessed through several internet sites via the official YouTube channel of NASA. Another great way to be a part of space exploration from the comfort of your home is to observe the ISS in real time as it crosses the Earth's surface.
Here’s how to not miss the pass of the ISS once you get the right tools.
The ISS is fast, so fast that it can be gone in five minutes. Look for the ISS tracker to get accurate times when the ISS will be visible in your area. Arriving early and sticking around a couple after the time you think the planet will rise in the sky will help you catch it.
ISS seems like a very bright, steady light across the sky. Many think of this as an airplane, though it doesn’t blink its light or make any sound like an airplane. Because of the reflection off the solar panels and the space station’s surface, it is shining brightly.
Even with the best timing, it is not a failproof way for the weather to be helping you out. It’s also important to check the weather forecast so that the clouds and heavy rain won’t obscure the view of the ISS. If there are clear skies, that is the best viewing conditions.
Tracking the ISS is an easy, fun, and rewarding activity, which helps us to connect with the wonders of Space. It’s easy to find out when and where you can see, even with an ISS tracker online or a mobile app. Once you can track the ISS, that’s all you need: a clear night if you’re in a good place, and a little patience. An experience that allows you to see the mystery of space on your doorstep, an experience that allows you to see humanity up in the stars.
That makes this how you can track the ISS if you have never. Start checking up, if that issue happens to smack into your block, get out there and start looking up, who knows that the ISS might just be passing over your head much sooner than you think.
This content was created by AI