Spaceship Flying Thru the Night Sky 2

(Much of this is a repeat of a post from March 2, 2010, but in case you missed it then, here it is again with current dates of good viewing!)

This evening, we will have a good view of the International Space Station (ISS) around here. The ISS will look a bit like a star - a small white light in the sky - but it moves slowly and steadily across the sky. Also, it does not blink like an airplane. It's a bit surprising when it disappears in midair, but that is just because it goes out of the sunlight and into the shadow. It is still there, it just isn't lit up, so you can't see it anymore. You will be very lucky to see it disappear this time, because it is very low in the sky when it disappears.

When and where to look, if you are in or near the Quad Cities*? (All times are Central time! Note: you may not begin to see the space station at the "beginning" times, if it is blocked by trees or buildings.)

Monday evening (this evening), September 13, the space shuttle will be very bright - much brighter than any star! It will be visible beginning at 7:35 pm low in the northwest, going overhead at 7:38, and disappearing low in the west-southwest at 7:41 pm.

Other things to look for in the evening sky: Venus is about as bright as the space station. It will be visible, un-moving (almost), low in the west. And the bright object over in the eastern sky, again not moving, or so it appears, is the planet Jupiter. Venus will set shortly and then reappear in the early morning hours just before sunup in the east. Jupiter will remain up all night, moving from east to west, like the sun does during the day.

*If not, go to the Heavens Above site and enter your own location.