Visualize the International Space Station from Vancouver without a telescope

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International Space Station
The robotic arm of Canadarm2 with its robotic hand, also called Dextre, is associated with high precision robotic work and extends across the frame as the International Space Station is in orbit more than 256 miles away. above the Atlantic Ocean. Photo: NASA Johnson / Flickr

Want to see the International Space Station up close and personal?

According to Space.com, it's a bit of a commitment. In fact, you must be in excellent physical condition and hold at least a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biosciences, Physical Sciences, Computer Science or Mathematics, as well as three years of professional experience before you even be taken into account for the selection process.

Keeping this in mind, only a tireless astronaut will engage in this long and demanding adventure. However, you can still admire this marvel of human ingenuity at a distance, with both feet firmly rooted in Vancouver's soil (or on the grass, or on the sidewalk – you get the photo). In fact, the International Space Station is visible many times from the Lower Mainland – but you will have to know exactly where and when to look for it.

Fortunately, NASA has provided star-studded astronomers with a user-friendly tool to help them know when visualization will take place almost anywhere in the world. In addition, he notes the duration of the visualization, as well as the exact position of the sky.

International Space Station
NASA

Of course, knowing where and when to watch is only half the battle – you will also need to know what to look for.

So what exactly does the station look like?

According to NASA, the station is visible to the naked eye and looks like a "fast plane but much higher, traveling thousands of kilometers at an hour faster".

Fortunately, it is the third brightest object in the sky, making tracking less difficult. Like the moon, the space station is visible because it reflects sunlight. And, of course, the viewing possibilities are better on clear nights.

The space station the size of a football field serves as a testbed for technologies and supports NASA's mission of propelling humans into the human presence. Learn more about station updates and search here.

Visit the Sighting Opportunities page and enter your position to find out when the space station will be coming to you over the next two weeks.

Enjoy your visit, Vancouver!

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