Good news for all you stargazers out there: the International Space Station will be visible from India till the 11th of May!
The International Space Station (ISS) is best described as a habitable artificial satellite. It is a microgravity laboratory that allows international crews to conduct research and experiments not possible on Earth.
The Space Station has been continuously occupied since November 2000. So far, more than 200 individuals from 18 countries have visited the Station.
At any point in time, the Space Station is home to six individuals who spend 35 hours a week researching Earth, space, physical and biological sciences to ensure the betterment of humankind.
The Space Station is believed to be the third brightest object in the sky, after the sun and the moon. Since it travels at a speed of five miles per second, it orbits Earth every 90 minutes. Given that the Space Station is visible only because it reflects the light of the sun; it can only be seen during dawn or dusk.
A sighting of the Space Station is dependent on the time of day coinciding with the orbiting of the Station overhead and sightings can vary from once a month to several times a week.
India will have an unrestricted view of the Space Station till the 11th of May.
Want to know when and where the Station will be visible? We’ve got you covered.
1. Log on to https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
2. Under the section, ‘Sighting Opportunities,’ select India
3. Now select your location from the drop-down menu
4. This will give you a complete list of the possible sightings, with other details like the co-ordinates at which they will appear and disappear, as well as the duration of the sighting.
You can also sign-up for NASA’s newsletter that will alert you to possible sightings in your location.