This is a wonderful time of the year to see the International Space Station (ISS) in the evening skies in our region. The sun sets around 6:30 in the evening. As the skies darken, the International Space Station ( if its orbit is near us) will still be illuminated by the sun and appear as a very bright object moving rapidly across the dark starry sky. 

This evening the ISS, which is about 250 miles above us, will rise in the southwest at 8:23 p.m.  It rises to 55° high in the sky at 8:27 p.m. but then blinks "off" as it enters the Earth's shadow.  

 Courtesy Heavens Above 

Thursday evening will provide even better views.  The space station rises at 7:35 p.m.; it's solar panels covering an area greater than a football field will be very bright, reflecting the light of the sun. At 7:38 p.m., the station with its crew of six will be almost overhead and will easily be the brightest object in the sky - even while traveling at about 18,000 miles per hour.  

Courtesy Heavens Above 

Give the crew a wave before it enters the earth's shadow at 7:40 p.m.  Have fun and enjoy! Be sure to take you parents out to watch.