By Will Collette
The International Space Station (ISS) will be flying over Charlestown tonight in a pass that will last seven minutes and will go practically from one horizon to the other.
For the first time in a while, the forecast is for a clear sky. Between our monsoons and Canadian smoke, ISS overpasses haven't been worth reporting since the chances of seeing through that mess have been close to zero.
Starting at 9:46 PM, the ISS will suddenly appear in the sky at 10 degrees above the horizon in the southwest. It will rise to 67 degrees at maximum height, about two-thirds up the sky from the horizon.
Time: Tue Jul 11 9:46 PM, Visible: 7 min,
Max Height: 67°, Appears: 10° above SW, Disappears: 10° above ENE
It will end its journey by disappearing at 10 degrees above the horizon in the east northeast. I always find it to be beautifully serene as it makes its silent pass.
Given the astrophysics, seven minutes is pretty much the longest possible time for a pass over Charlestown.
The weather forecast for today is clear all day and night. Ideal viewing weather.
Here are the overflight details from NASA:
Time: Tue Jul 11 9:46 PM, Visible: 7 min, Max Height: 67°, Appears: 10° above SW, Disappears: 10° above ENE.
