Community Corner
Look Up! Spot International Space Station From Middletown
The first crew arrived at the station in November 2000. Typically inhabitants stay at the station for six months, according to NASA. Starting tonight, you can peek at them.
By Kym Byrnes; posted by Cassandra Day.
The International Space Station, floating more than 200 miles above the ground, is the third brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon and with the help of NASA, you can see it from your house.
NASA's Spot the Station service alerts people to when the space station will be visible in their local skies. Here in Middletown, you can look to the skies Tuesday night at 8:10 p.m. and again at 9:46 p.m. but you'd better do so right on the dot as sightings are only 2-4 minutes long.
On Wednesday, you have another chance at 8:56 p.m.; Thursday at 8:06 p.m. and Friday at 8:51 p.m.
According to NASA, the space station looks like a fast-moving plane in the sky, best viewed on clear nights.
One Patch Facebook user commented after recently spotting the space vehicle, "Yes it was unbelievable that something so far away could be that visible and move so fast across the sky. My 6- and 8-year-olds were totally mesmerized.
"Traveling at 17,500 miles per hour, when complete the space station will measure 361 feet, the equivalent of a football field including the endzones. For more information on the International Space Station and its mission, visit the space station mission pages.
Make an announcement, trumpet your business news, speak your mind, or sell something on Middletown Patch's boards here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
