Keen stargazers are hoping for clear skies to spot the International Space Station as it passes over the Hunter this week. The space station will be visible on Monday and Tuesday evening and will be clearest at dusk.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Where to look
Look for a brilliant star, brighter than any other in the sky and that is the space station.
The station will be visible at:
Cessnock: Monday August 29, 7.18pm for two minutes 44° 18° above WNW 44° above SW and Tuesday August 30, 6.25pm for six minutes 79° 11° above NW 16° above SE.
Kurri Kurri: Monday August 29, 7.18pm for two minutes 43° 18° above WNW 43° above SW. Tuesday August 30, 6.25pm for six minutes 80° 11° above NW 16° above SE.
Maitland: Monday August 29 7.17pm visible for two minutes 45°, 21° above WNW, and disappears: 40° S.
Nelson Bay: Monday August 29, 7.18pm for one minute 38° 21° above W 38° above WSW. Tuesday August 30, 6.25pm for six minutes 87° 10° above NW 16° above SE
Newcastle: Monday August 29, 7.18pm for two minutes, 40° 17° above WNW 40° above WSW. Tuesday August 30, 6.25pm for six minutes 82° 11° above NW 16° above SE.
The space station is visible within an 80 kilometre radius from any of these points. Just look in the direction listed beside the closest town to your location.
Space station facts
The space station orbits the Earth every 90 minutes as it collects data from around the globe.
It is longer than a rugby union field and has an international crew who live and work onboard.
Residents do not need a telescope to spot the station, because it is travelling so fast it is easier to snatch a glimpse with the naked-eye.
Head to nasa.gov or heavens-above.com to access the exact co-ordinates for where the station will appear from your viewing location.