Want to see the International Space Station over Lincolnshire? Here’s everything you need to know – LincolnshireLive

Posted: July 28, 2017 at 6:49 pm

Stargazers are in for a treat as the International Space Station is set to cross Lincolnshire's skies - and you don't need any equipment to see it.

The International Space Station (ISS) will be visible over Lincolnshire at various times between now and August 8 and 9.

And because of its enormous size you don't have to have a telescope to view it in the night sky as it'll be visible to the naked eye.

The ISS is more than 100m wide, over 70m long, and about 20m high. The orbital height (height above Earth) is just over 400km.

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But you'll have to keep your eyes on the prize; the speed of orbit is so high 17,200mph that it will often only be visible for a few minutes at a time.

According to NASAs Spot The Station web site, the ISS looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesnt have flashing lights or change direction. It will also be moving considerably faster than a typical airplane.

The station will be visible from all over Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire, including Lincoln, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Boston, Sleaford and Grantham, within a minute of the following dates and times:

July 28: 12.18am, 10.49pm

July 29: 12.25am, 9.57pm, 11.33pm

July 30: 1.10am, 10.41pm

July 31: 12.17am, 9.49pm, 11.25pm

August 1: 10.33pm

August 2: 12.09am, 9.40pm, 11.17pm

August 3: 10.24pm

August 4: 12.02am, 9.32pm, 11.09pm

August 5: 10.17pm

August 6: 9.24pm, 11.02pm

August 7: 10.08pm

August 8: 9.16pm

The International Space Station will always start passing from a westerly direction so keep your eyes peeled for it gliding across the sky.

Sometimes a pass can last as long as five minutes, but it looks like a bright, fast-moving star so be careful not to mistake it for a passing aircraft.

It takes 90 minutes to orbit so you may be able to catch it passing more than once if you dont mind spending a couple of hours outside at night.

For more information about the ISS, visit https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/home.cfm .

Excerpt from:
Want to see the International Space Station over Lincolnshire? Here's everything you need to know - LincolnshireLive

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