How to View the International Space Station

Plant a seed in the minds of our youth, of your children, of yourself. Gaze up at the stars for inspiration and imagination. You need to look no farther than your own back yard (minus a few lights in urban areas).

I'm referring to finding and watching the International Space Station and the NASA Space Shuttle. It's easy to locate and easy to see in the night sky. Much more brilliant than the usual satellite passing overhead, the ISS and the Space Shuttle are amazing to watch, especially when you think of the height of their orbits, and the fact that there are actually people inhabiting those marvels of mechanical and scientific engineering.

Begin by visiting the Human Space Flight page on the NASA website.

Click on your country in the left-hand column, then your state, and finally the closest major city to your location. Note the times and projected path of the ISS or the Shuttle. Better yet, print the page to hang on your bulletin board or refrigerator. Schedules are usually provided about two weeks in advance.

When preparing to view the passing of the Space Station or the Shuttle (or both when in the middle of a docked mission), take an accurate timepiece with you. The listed times for viewing may vary depending on atmospheric haze and peripheral lighting conditions, but for the most part they are very accurate. Know your directions and have someone along who is good at estimating degrees of elevation above the horizon.

Now the fun begins. See who in your family can spot the ISS first. As it's passing overhead, talk about how far away it is, and that there are people occupying the interior of the craft. Talk about what space flight was like when you were a kid. Ask your children what they think it will be like when they are grown up. Talk about what the astronauts can see from space. What does earth look like? What does the moon look like from inside the station? How bright are the stars? Can they see the rings of Jupiter with the naked eye? What was the last piece of the space station installed and where did it get it's name?

Next, revisit the NASA website and click on the links under the header to continue your discussion. Look at the pictures. Watch the NASA Television web feed. Plan your next trip to watch the ISS. Click on the ISS link to look at how the project has grown in the last few years and what future plans for growth involve.

Inspire your children with possibilities for the future of space travel. Use the ISS and Shuttle viewings to fire their imaginations and expand their global horizons. Remind them that what they have witnessed has only happened in your lifetime. Use the opportunity to challenge them to reach for the stars, no matter what directions and occupations life has in store for them. Connect with your kids on a whole new level this year. Use the ISS to boost your relationship to a higher orbit.