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Satellites

Satellite pass predictions for your observation location

ISS Live Camera YouTube Live

Continuous live stream from the ISS external cameras, relayed via YouTube. A black screen means the ISS is in Earth's shadow; a colour-bar or NASA logo means the downlink is briefly switched away from Earth views.

How to read satellite passes

This page shows predicted visible passes of satellites over your location. Satellites are only visible when sunlight reflects off them while the sky is dark — typically during twilight (shortly after sunset or before sunrise).

Max Elevation

How high the satellite climbs above the horizon. Passes above 45° are easy to spot; those below 20° may be hidden by trees or buildings.

Brightness (mag)

Lower magnitude = brighter. The ISS can reach mag −4 (very bright). Anything above mag 4 may need binoculars. A mag 1.2 Starlink train is as bright as Deneb — easily visible to the naked eye even from suburbs.

Direction of Travel

Most LEO satellites orbit west to east. The sky chart shows each pass arc with an arrowhead indicating the direction of flight from rise to set.

Direction

Rise and set directions (N, NE, E, etc.) tell you where to look. Start watching a minute before the predicted rise time.

Starlink Trains

Newly launched Starlink satellites travel in a visible “pearl string” formation for 1–3 weeks before spreading out. These are brightest in the first few days after launch.

Observer Positioning

Face the rise direction (typically W/SW for evening passes). Find a spot with a clear horizon and avoid light pollution. A reclining chair helps for overhead passes.

Naked-Eye Brightness Reference

mag −4 — ISS (brilliant) mag −1.5 — Sirius mag 0 — Vega mag 1.2 — Deneb / bright Starlink train mag 2 — Polaris mag 4+ — binoculars needed mag 6 — naked-eye limit (dark sky)

Tip: Use the toggle chips to select which satellites you want to track. Your selection is remembered between visits.

Showing the sky from Greenwich, London. Log in to use your own location and save objects to plans and lists.
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Solar Transits

Upcoming ISS passes in front of the Sun as seen from your location

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Your Clock vs. Theirs