Bright pass by space station tonight
If our skies stay clear this evening we may get a good look at the International Space Station as it flies directly over Baltimore en route from high over Lake Michigan to the Delmarva Peninsula and out to sea.
Look for a bright, star-like object to appear above the northwest horizon at 9:21 p.m. EDT. It will be moving briskly toward the southeast at an orbital speed of 17,500 mph. It will slip just beneath the cup of the Big dipper and pass almost exactly through the zenith (217 miles straight up) at 9:24 p.m. From there it will move southeastward, disappearing at 9:26 as it enters the Earth's shadow.
This is a very bright pass, so the ISS should be easily visible from urban locations, and even through thin clouds. Take the kids. If you see it, drop back here and leave us a comment.
Comments
Great instructions....we saw it in the heart of Towson!! Thank you.
FR: Great! I watched with a security guard from the roof of the Sun garage. That may have been the brightest ISS pass I've ever seen, and I've seen quite a few. Beautiful night.
Posted by: Boo | May 27, 2009 9:29 PM
we saw it!! that sucker is just cruisin along, we live in clackamas oregon and we could just see it clear as day. just awsome to experience it!!!!
Posted by: alex | May 28, 2009 12:39 AM