VIDEO: International Space Station will make a 3-minute pass over Charlestown tonight

And Trump plans to end US funding
By Will Collette

See this directly on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRaZgSVnsNs

Leaked details from Trump's budget proposal soon to be released show Trump proposes to end US funding of its share of the International Space Station by 2025.

Of course, he wants to end this program that combines two things he hates: intensive science research that includes study of climate change and international cooperation.

I have been reporting on ISS overflights over Charlestown since we started Progressive Charlestown, usually without political comment because it is a thing of value and beauty in and of itself. But now we face the prospect of this abominable accident of a president spoiling even that.

Anyway, the ISS is making an evening pass over Charlestown. This overflight is three minutes long and the viewing could be OK. Generally, the maximum time the ISS is visible overhead is six minutes.

The National Weather Service forecast (click here) for tonight is mostly cloudy.

It starts in the south southwest at exactly 6:21 PM, 10 degrees over the horizon. It will climb to 46% over the horizon and will head east south east. Then it will seem to disappear as it passes beyond the point where it is lit up by the sun at 44 degrees elevation.

The station can rival Venus or Jupiter (both of which are prominent in the sky this month) or Mars in brightness.

Combined with its eerie silent, swift passage, the ISS makes for great sky viewing.

Here are tonight's exact specifications from NASA: 

Time: Thu Jan 25 6:21 PM, Visible: 3 min, Max Height: 46°, Appears: 10° above SSW, Disappears: 44° above ESE 

You can check out the timetable for station overflights by clicking here. There you will see that the ISS will return tomorrow night for a 5-minute overflight.

You have the option to sign up for e-mail alerts that give you at least 12 hours' advance warning of overflights.