St. Lawrence University homepage SLU Physics homepage

Site Map

Observing the International Space Station

Updated: 6 September, 2002

   The International Space Station will be visible from Canton, NY during the first two weeks of September, 2002, just before sunrise. The table below contains the times ISS will be visible, and links to star charts showing the approximate path ISS will follow in the sky.

   The orbit of ISS is variable due to changes in its altitude above the Earth, so the times and paths indicated on the star charts may not be precise. Check this page for updated times.


  See the following pages for more information about the International Space Station:


Date Times Visible* Star Charts ** Comments
2 September, 2002 5:42– 5:45 am Chart 45 minutes before sunrise; will only reach an altitude of 13°.
4 September, 2002 5:23– 5:29 am Chart Observing notes: The sky was clear, and the space station was very easy to see this morning! - jrm 4 Sept 2002
5 September, 2002 4:28– 4:30 am Chart Two hours before sunrise, but very low in the sky (max. altitude 12°). Only visible for a couple of minutes.
6 September, 2002 5:07– 5:11 am

RisingSetting

Observing notes: The temperature was 45 °F, and the sky was very clear. ISS emerged from the Earth's shadow in an area of the sky without many bright stars. It moved rather quickly, gliding gracefully over Orion, and was as bright as Betelgeuse. It passed just above Jupiter and M44 (the "Beehive" cluster); all three were visible in the field of view of binoculars. Stunning. - jrm 6 Sept 2002
7 September, 2002 5:44 – 5:50 am RisingSetting 45 minutes before sunrise, very high in the sky (max. altitude 56°). Will be very bright, but may be hard to see as the sky brightens. Will move from W to NE.
8 September, 2002 4:49 – 4:52 am Chart AChart B Very high in the sky, pass near a point directly overhead (the Zenith); max. altitude 80°. Should be very bright.
9 September, 2002 5:27 – 5:32 am RisingSetting Rises in the west, then passes through the northern sky, just below Polaris (the North Star). As it sets, will pass directly through the bowl of the Big Dipper.
11 September, 2002 5:09 – 5:13 am Chart Again passes through the northern sky, below Polaris (the North Star) and through the bowl of the Big Dipper.
12 September, 2002 5:46 – 5:52 am Chart Again passes through the northern sky, but a bit lower. Will pass below the Little Dipper and through the handle of the Big Dipper. 45 minutes before sunrise, so sky will be a bit blue.
13 September, 2002 4:50 – 4:54 am Chart Look again in the Northern sky.
14 September, 2002 5:27 – 5:33 am Chart Again in Northern sky.

*Viewing times are in Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT), and were calculated at Heavens–Above.

**All star charts are .gif images created with Starry Night Backyard 3.1 and edited with Deneba Canvas.

 

  • Return To Astronomy Links


    © St. Lawrence University Department of Physics
    Revised: 28 Apr 2003 Canton, NY 13617