(Posted 30 December 2021) Early January 2022 presents a wonderful opportunity to see the International Space Station pass silently overhead. There are great viewing opportunities if you live on the East Coast of Australia. This includes the cities of Brisbane, Cairns, the Gold Coast region, Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne.
While the International Space Station does regularly pass over Australia, these passes usually occur during the day or in the middle of the night. This means that the station is not visible.
For the International Space Station to be visible for an Earth bound observer, it has to be a pass that occurs during the morning or evening twilight period. That way, the station is lit up by sunlight, but the observer on the ground is in darkness or semi-darkness.
| Location | Dates visible |
| Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | 30 December 2021 – 5 January 2022 |
| Cairns, Queensland | 2 – 8 January 2022 |
| Brisbane, Queensland | 30 December 2021 – 8 January 2022 |
| Gold Coast, Queensland | 30 December 2021 – 8 January 2022 |
| Sydney, New South Wales | 30 December 2021 – 5 January 2022 |
| Melbourne, Victoria | 30 December 2021 – 4 January 2022 |
The above links take you to the highly recommended Heavens-Above website which generates customised viewing information for different locations. This includes a sky chart which provides a visual guide of when and where to look. Keep in mind that the charts are designed to be held over your head. If your location is not listed above, go here for tips on how to customise the information for where you live. Depending on your location, the International Space Station will be visible in the morning and/or evening sky.
If you haven’t seen the station pass overhead before, you are in for a treat. On a good pass, the International Space Station rivals the planet Venus for brightness. If you are really lucky, you will see a dazzling flare of light if the sunlight happens to reflect off the station’s giant solar panels at the right angle.
