Space lovers unite! The International Space Station passed through the South Central Texas sky Sunday evening.
While patches of mid and high-level clouds still streamed across parts of the area, it was worth heading outside to try to catch a glimpse of the ISS as it passed overhead.
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DETAILS
- Visibility Starts: 6:27 p.m. CST
- Visibility Ends: 6:34 p.m. CST
- Appears: 10° above the SSW horizon
- Disappears: 10° above the NE horizon
- Max Height: 53°
Sunday evening’s flyover was expected to be a decent one logistically since the ISS’s max height was expected to reach above 50°. NASA notes that flyovers typically over 40° provide the best chances for viewing since they are visible above most buildings and landscapes.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
According to NASA, the International Space Station looks like a bright star or an airplane (without the flashing lights) moving fast across the night sky. For reference, airplanes generally fly around 600 mph, but the space station travels at a speed of over 17,000 mph!
HISTORY
According to NASA, the first part of the International Space Station was launched in November 1998. After assembling additional pieces over the course of the following 24 months, the station was ready for the first crew to arrive in November 2000.
Scientists from the United States and partners around the world completed the construction of the space station in 2011. The ISS has been home to humans since the first crew arrived almost 22 years ago, and allows crew members to perform unique research on a day-to-day basis.
Want to learn more about the International Space Station itself? You can find more information on their website by clicking here.