Which direction do I look for the ISS from Washington?

Face WNW at the pass start time; the station climbs to about 21° and sets toward the N. It looks like a steady, fast-moving bright star with no flashing lights.

How bright is the ISS?

The ISS is one of the brightest objects in the night sky — often brighter than any star or planet on a high overhead pass (magnitude −2 to −3.5). It's easily seen even from bright cities.

Is the ISS visible from Washington tonight? Pass times & directions

Q: Is the ISS visible from Washington tonight?

The next visible ISS pass from Washington is at 9:21 PM on Thursday, Sep 10, rising in the WNW and reaching 21° above the horizon.

Thursday, Sep 10

1 visible pass

9:21 PM21° max

Appears WNW · disappears N · 4 min · mag -1.2

Friday, Sep 11

1 visible pass

8:33 PM30° max

Appears W · disappears NNE · 6 min · mag -1.5

Saturday, Sep 12

2 visible passes

7:51 PM16° max

Appears NE · disappears NE · 1 min · mag -1

9:24 PM13° max

Appears NW · disappears N · 3 min · mag -0.9

Sunday, Sep 13

1 visible pass

8:36 PM16° max

Appears NW · disappears NNE · 4 min · mag -1

Monday, Sep 14

1 visible pass

7:48 PM21° max

Appears WNW · disappears NNE · 5 min · mag -1.2

See the whole sky from Washington tonight — planets, Moon & more →

Aurora

Tuning into the cosmos…

Is the ISS visible from Washington?

1 visible pass

1 visible pass

2 visible passes

1 visible pass

1 visible pass

Is the ISS visible from Washington?

1 visible pass

1 visible pass

2 visible passes

1 visible pass

1 visible pass