The ISS is visible to more than 90% of the Earth’s population.

 

The ISS is visible to more than 90% of the Earth’s population.

When you see the International Space Station (ISS) in the night sky it appears as a fast-moving star crossing from horizon to horizon.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a multi-nation laboratory, orbiting 248 miles (400 kilometers) above our heads. It perhaps comes as no surprise that the ISS can easily be seen and tracked from Earth. 

The colossal structure reflects sunlight and appears as a bright white pinpoint of light in the sky. According to NASA(opens in new tab), the ISS will typically be the brightest object in the sky (except for the moon), and can even be spotted from the middle of a city. 

The ISS is therefore a great skywatching target for those living in urban and rural areas alike. Spotting the ISS requires no specialist equipment as it can be seen with the naked eye. All you need to know is where to look and when.