Space station passes sparkle

South Texas Stargazing

The San Antonio Astronomical Association invites you to participate in all of its public astronomy events. It's free, and you can view the calendar at http://www.sanantonioastronomy.org.

With only a few nights left before we say adios to August, let's bid adieu with a couple of nice International Space Station passes.

Look toward the northwest at 9:05 Tuesday night for a bright, moving speck of light.

The ISS will fly just behind the bowl of the Big Dipper and then arc high overhead to an easy spot near the bright star Vega a little after 9:07 p.m.

This is space station viewing at its best since the pass takes it to a vanishing point above the moon at 9:09 p.m.

While you're out admiring the station, check out Mars and Saturn with Spica in the southwest. This dynamic trio has done a very cool dance of cosmic musical chairs the past few weeks with Mars confusing the game with some sort of Chinese fire drill.

Mars just can't seem to stay put and has been moving between Saturn and Spica like a restless preschooler.

Mars currently sits high above and left of Saturn while Spica rests calmly below.

The last night of August treats us to another ISS pass at 8:57 p.m.

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Space station passes sparkle