- My astronomy blog, Southern Hemisphere Sky Events

In Sydney CBD? Watch the International Space Station cross Jupiter tonight in evening twilight!

(Posted 8 July 2015) If you work in the Sydney Central Business District and have the opportunity to down pens (or keyboards or whatever …) at 5:30 pm, then you should. As seen from the CBD, the International Space Station will cross Jupiter.

Finder chart for International Space Station pass over Jupiter for Sydney CBD for 5:33 pm Wednesday 8 July 2015. Chart courtesy Heavens-Above.com site.
Finder chart for International Space Station pass over Jupiter for Sydney CBD for 5:33 pm Wednesday 8 July 2015. Chart courtesy Heavens-Above.com site.

The above map (thanks to Heavens-Above.com) shows the view from the the CBD. At exactly 5:33:40 pm AEST tonight (Wednesday 8 July 2015), the International Space Station will appear to cross Jupiter’s disc. If you are slightly away from the center line then the Space Station will miss Jupiter.

Venus and Jupiter finder chart. Chart prepared for 5:33 pm AEST on Wednesday 8 July 2015 for the Sydney Central Business District, New South Wales. Chart prepared using the highly recommended Sky Safari Pro tablet app. Used with permission.
Venus and Jupiter finder chart. Chart prepared for 5:33 pm AEST on Wednesday 8 July 2015 for the Sydney Central Business District, New South Wales. Chart prepared using the highly recommended Sky Safari Pro tablet app. Used with permission.

If you are unfamiliar with the night sky, then use the above chart. The sky will still be bright but Jupiter and Venus should be visible. To know where to look watch the Sun set (at 5 pm today). Look slightly to the right of the Sun and up at 5:30 pm to find Jupiter and Venus. Note that to the unaided eye, they will both appear like stars. Stay watching for a couple of minutes until 5:33:40 pm AEST for the show.

Unfortunately for locations away from the Sydney CBD, we miss out on the show, and only see a (still) great close encounter. The second chart will be useful for the same time across Eastern Australia (minus the great encounter with the International Space Station).

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2 thoughts on “In Sydney CBD? Watch the International Space Station cross Jupiter tonight in evening twilight!

  1. What a blast . Nature on time to the second . So easy to see . Thanks for bringing to our attention nature and man juxtaposed .

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