It could be a good week for viewing the International Space Station. Here's where to look

Eric Hartley, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read

The International Space Station travels over us at all different times of day. But this week, it'll be above the Coachella Valley's horizon — for a few minutes at a time — on most evenings, making it a good time to try to catch a glimpse.

That begins on Monday, when the station could be viewable to the southwest for two minutes, starting at 6:27 p.m.

Keep in mind, the mountains that surround the valley could make it a challenge some nights. NASA's website shows Thursday might be the best night for viewing. That evening, the station will reach a height of 70 degrees above the horizon (90 degrees is directly overhead).

The station, a multinational science lab that's been in orbit for over 20 years, is about 250 miles above Earth and orbits us at 17,500 mph, circling the planet every 90 minutes.

The International Space Station.
The International Space Station.

So it's in our sky frequently, but often during the day when it's not visible because of the sun. The best times for space station viewing, NASA says, are dawn and dusk.

You can see upcoming sightings from your location with NASA's website, SpotTheStation.nasa.gov, and a new Spot the Station app for iPhones and Android phones.

Here's when it'll be above the horizon this week:

  • Monday, 6:27 p.m. Above horizon for two minutes starting in southwest. Maximum height above horizon: 37 degrees

  • Tuesday, 5:40 p.m. Above horizon for four minutes starting in south-southwest. Maximum height above horizon: 30 degrees

  • Wed Nov 15, 6:29 p.m. Above horizon for three minutes starting in west-southwest. Maximum height above horizon: 37 degrees

  • Thu Nov 16, 5:41 p.m. Above horizon for six minutes starting in southwest. Maximum height above horizon: 70 degrees

  • Fri Nov 17, 6:31 p.m. Above horizon for three minutes starting in west-northwest. Maximum height above horizon: 15 degrees

  • Sat Nov 18, 5:42 p.m. Above horizon for five minutes starting in west. Maximum height above horizon: 23 degrees

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: When to view International Space Station from Palm Springs area