Find The International Space Station Over Decatur

DECATUR, GA — Astronauts have shared amazing images of the world from the International Space Station. The view from their orbiting watchtower has captured fierce storms, sweeping blackouts or just cities lit with activity.

But, we also get a regular chance to catch a look at the station from our perspective on the ground, even in the skies over Decatur.

We can see the station as it reflects the light from the sun, similar to how we see the moon, according to NASA. Sightings can range from once a month to several times a week, depending on if it's dark as the space station passes overhead.

"The space station looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesn’t have flashing lights or change direction," according to spotting tips from NASA. "It will also be moving considerably faster than a typical airplane."

You can use NASA's "Spot the Station" locator map to find the next chance to see the space station from anywhere.

Here's the next chance in Decatur:

Those numbers are great, but what do they mean? Here are more tips from NASA:

• Max Height is measured in degrees (also known as elevation). It represents the height of the space station from the horizon in the night sky. The horizon is at zero degrees, and directly overhead is 90 degrees. If you hold your fist at arm’s length and place your fist resting on the horizon, the top will be about 10 degrees.
• Appears is the location in the sky where the station will be visible first. This value, like maximum height, also is measured in degrees from the horizon. The letters represent compass directions — N is north, WNW is west by northwest, and so on.
• Disappears represents where in the night sky the International Space Station will leave your field of view.

And, take your camera with you! Photographers have grabbed terrific photos of the space station moving overhead, particularly with time-exposure images.

If you want to know where the space station is located at any given moment, sites like Heavens Above will let you know.

Top image via NASA