Here's How to See International Space Station Flying Over Bethlehem Patch

By Todd Richissin

Not all that long ago, anything like the International Space Station was reserved for science fiction and drug highs.

The space station, or the ISS, has been a reality for some time now, though, even if you haven't seen it flying over Bethlehem Patch.

But you can. And here's how to spot it: NASA has started a Spot the Station program, which you can sign up for to be notified when the ISS will be visible over Bethlehem Patch or whatever location you choose.

You can receive alerts via email or a text message to your phone.  Visit the Spot the Stationwebsite here to sign up, and view a list of upcoming sighting opportunities.

The space station should be of particular interest in our area, where other shows in the sky, such as meteor showers, are often bleached out by so many city lights. 

But the ISS is so bright, it can even been seen from the center of a city. Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, it disappears. 

• Video of the International Space Station as seen on Earth.
• And video of the International Space Station looking down on us.

So far, more than half a million people have signed up to receive alerts from NASA’s Spot the Stationprogram, according to Earthsky.org.

"The ISS orbits at approximately 220 miles above the Earth and it travels at an average speed of 27,724 kilometers (17,227 miles) per hour. The ISS makes multiple orbits around the Earth every day. So far, the ISS has traveled more than 1.5 billion miles through space."