See the Space Station in EL Skies

Mid-Michigan is not really known as a good place to observe the heavens. But this summer, the clear nights have been plentiful, especially when compared to this year's number of good local peaches, cherries, etc. Painfully, one of the few rainy nights was the smack in the middle of the best viewing times for the Perseid showers. But there is a simple viewing option this week: the International Space Station.

The ISS whips around the earth every 90 minutes or so, and if the orbit is just right, it shines like a star as a moves across the sky. The times and positions vary, but on Thursday, August 23rd, it will be visible for 3 minutes starting at 9:40 pm. It will start one third of the way up the sky in the northwest and head east. It is steadily the brightest thing in the sky other than the moon or Venus and moves about as quickly as an airplane, to the east (but without the flashing airplane lights). It's been easy to see from the Hannah Community Center parking lot (which has a lot of light pollution), does not invest a whole evening, and it's pretty cool to think people are in that thing. Find other times to see the ISS at the NASA site.