This week in London, on 15 July, skywatchers will have the opportunity to witness the International Space Station passing overhead. The ISS will be exceptionally bright and visible to the naked eye, providing a spectacular sight for those who look up.
The viewing event will kick off at 22.39 BST when the ISS emerges above the western horizon. However, it may not be visible until it reaches an altitude of over 10° at around 22.41 BST. By 22.44 BST, the space station will reach its highest point, passing through the constellation Draco, the dragon, at an impressive height of 417km (259 miles) above the Earth. At this peak, the ISS will shine brightly at a magnitude of -3.8, nearly matching the brilliance of Venus. In fact, only the moon and the sun can outshine Venus in terms of natural celestial objects.
As the ISS begins to descend in altitude, its brightness will gradually diminish. By 22.48 BST, it will dip below the 10° mark and fade from view. For those looking to catch a double celestial show, an old Atlas-Centaur rocket body will also be visible earlier in the evening, from 22.03 to 22.13 BST. While not as bright as the ISS, this rocket body will still be a captivating sight as it travels through the constellation of Boötes, the herdsman, around 22.09 to 22.10 BST.
If you’re interested in tracking the exact timings of these celestial events based on your location, you can visit heavens-above.com for more information. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the beauty of the International Space Station and other objects as they glide across the night sky in London.
