Key Facts
- Category
- Geography & Science
- Input Types
- number, date, select
- Output Type
- json
- Sample Coverage
- 0
- API Ready
- Yes
Overview
Predict upcoming passes of the International Space Station (ISS), Hubble Space Telescope, and Starlink satellites for any location on Earth. Using live Two-Line Element (TLE) data and SGP4 orbital propagation, this tool calculates precise pass times, peak elevation angles, and durations to help you plan your night sky observations.
When to Use
- •When planning backyard astronomy sessions and wanting to spot the ISS or Hubble Space Telescope with the naked eye.
- •When tracking representative Starlink satellite passes over a specific geographic coordinate.
- •When setting up astrophotography equipment and needing to know when satellites will cross your field of view.
How It Works
- •Input your observing location's latitude and longitude coordinates along with the target date.
- •Select your satellite preset (ISS, Hubble, Starlink, or all common) and set a minimum elevation threshold to filter out low-horizon passes.
- •The tool processes live TLE orbital data using SGP4 propagation to calculate the exact pass times and peak elevations relative to your location.
Use Cases
Examples
1. Spotting the ISS over New York City
Amateur Astronomer- Background
- An amateur astronomer in New York wants to show their family the ISS passing overhead but needs to know exactly when and where to look.
- Problem
- Needs to find high-elevation ISS passes for a specific evening without sorting through unrelated satellite data.
- How to Use
- Enter latitude 40.7128 and longitude -74.006 for New York, select the 'ISS' preset, set the minimum elevation to 15 degrees, and set the UTC offset to -4 for local time.
- Example Config
-
{ "latitude": 40.7128, "longitude": -74.006, "date": "2026-06-16", "satellitePreset": "iss", "minElevationDeg": 15, "utcOffsetHours": -4 } - Outcome
- Returns a list of ISS passes, showing a peak elevation of 64.2 degrees, making it highly visible above the city skyline.
2. Planning a Starlink and Hubble Observation in London
Astrophotographer- Background
- A photographer in London wants to capture long-exposure shots of both Hubble and Starlink satellites on a clear summer night.
- Problem
- Needs to coordinate camera angles based on the peak elevation of multiple satellites on the same night.
- How to Use
- Input London coordinates (latitude 51.5074, longitude -0.1278), select the 'ISS + Hubble + Starlink' preset, and set the minimum elevation to 10 degrees.
- Example Config
-
{ "latitude": 51.5074, "longitude": -0.1278, "date": "2026-06-16", "satellitePreset": "all-common", "minElevationDeg": 10, "utcOffsetHours": 1 } - Outcome
- Generates a JSON list of all passes, detailing the maximum elevation and pass times for both Hubble and Starlink satellites.
Related Hubs
FAQ
What satellites can I track with this tool?
You can track the International Space Station (ISS), the Hubble Space Telescope, and representative Starlink satellites.
What is the minimum elevation setting used for?
It filters out passes that do not rise above a certain angle, helping you ignore passes blocked by local obstructions like trees or buildings.
How does the tool calculate the satellite passes?
It uses live Two-Line Element (TLE) data combined with the SGP4 orbital propagation model to compute coordinates relative to your observer location.
Do I need to adjust the UTC offset?
Yes, entering your local UTC offset ensures the predicted pass times are displayed in your local time zone rather than UTC.
Can I track satellites during the daytime?
Yes, the tool calculates all physical passes, though optical visibility to the naked eye depends on local daylight and lighting conditions.