Mumbai residents are in for a rare astronomical treat as the International Space Station (ISS) will be visible in the city’s night sky on February 3. The space station will make its appearance at 7:23 PM and reach peak visibility by 7:28 PM, becoming the third brightest object in the sky after the Moon and Venus.
According to Arvind Paranjpye, Director of Mumbai’s Nehru Planetarium, the ISS will be clearly visible for around two-and-a-half minutes, positioned 10 degrees above the horizon. For the best view, observers should look northwest, with binoculars suggested for a better experience.
The ISS, orbiting at approximately 400 kilometers above Earth at a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour, completes 16 orbits daily. While visible to the naked eye, clear skies are crucial for optimal viewing due to urban light pollution. It’s an experience that won’t come around often, so grab your chance to wave to astronaut Sunita Williams onboard!
