By Will Collette
The International Space Station (ISS) will be flying over Charlestown tonight in a pass that will last seven minutes and will go practically from one horizon to the other.
We've had a number of ISS overflights in recent weeks, but just about all on cloudy or overcast nights. But tonight, viewing conditions are ideal, though cold.
Starting at 5:34 PM, the ISS will suddenly appear in the sky at 10 degrees above the horizon in the west-northwest. It will rise to 60 degrees at maximum height with a total running time of seven minutes which is just about the maximum time the ISS is ever visible overhead.
Time: Sat Feb 03 5:34 PM, Visible: 7 min,
Max Height: 60°, Appears: 10° above WNW, Disappears: 10° above SE
It will end its journey by disappearing at 10 degrees above the horizon in the southeast. I always find it to be beautifully serene as it makes its silent pass.
Given the astrophysics, seven minutes is pretty much the longest possible time for a pass over Charlestown.
The weather forecast for today is clear all day and night. Ideal viewing weather.
Here are the overflight details from NASA:
Time: Sat Feb 03 5:34 PM, Visible: 7 min,
Max Height: 60°, Appears: 10° above WNW, Disappears: 10° above SE