By Rod Hill on 2013-06-06
Another chance tonight at 9:41 to see the International Space Station! Look for an object similar to an airplane in the sky, but higher and moving quickly. Look to the west,southwest at 52 degrees and track the flight to the east. The station will be visible for 7 minutes. The brightness will be a magnitude -3, which equals the brightness of Venus. The flyover will take place Thursday evening at 9:41 pm.
The Space Station orbits earth at 240 miles high and moves at 17,500 mph! The international station is roughly the size of a football field. The brightness we can see is made possible by sunlight shining on the station's metallic modules and enormous solar panels.
I have seen the station from my backyard several times. Skies will be clear tonight for the 9:41 viewing. If you look up to the southwest, you should see the bright object moving east. You will know it when you see it. Enjoy the view!
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