The International Space Station will be making a few bright passes over South Jersey over this Thanksgiving weekend. Before sitting down to dinner this weekend, grab your family and look up! Each night's pass will be a bit brighter than the one before. Discover how to see it for yourself with our guide.
While you're out, be sure to look towards the South to spot the quarter Moon near Saturn. On November 29, it will appear just above the planet. The Moon's silvery glow will contrast nicely with Saturn's golden hue. Head to dark skies to really take in the effect!
Up first, the pre-game Thanksgiving show.
November 27 - Thanksgiving
The first pass will occur around 6:30 pm on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27. The ISS will appear in the northwest in the constellation Corona Borealis, the northern crown. You will have to be quick to spot this one, since it rises and sets within a few minutes. It will then travel east, entering Draco the Dragon moments before it disappears from view.
| Event | Time | Magnitude (Brightness) |
| ISS Appears | 6:33:35 PM | 0.6 |
| ISS Enters Shadow | 6:37:19 PM | -1.9 |
November 28 - Friday
The next pass will happen on Friday evening and will be longer and brighter than the Thanksgiving pre-show pass.
The ISS will start in almost the same position as the night before. Look for it to rise in the northwest near Bootes. It'll pass just above the Big Dipper as it travels east before disappearing above the bright star Capella in the constellation Auriga.
| Event | Time | Magnitude (Brightness) |
| ISS Rises | 5:46:01 PM | 0.5 |
| Maximum Altitude | 5:51:18 PM | -2.8 |
| ISS Enters Shadow | 5:52:03 PM | -2.8 |
November 29 - Saturday
Saturday brings an equally bright pass of the station overhead. Look for it to rise in Corona Borealis to the northwest.
This next pass will be shorter but still worth a look. It passes through Hercules as it heads East towards the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra. Then it disappears into Earth's shadow after crossing into Cygnus the Swan. Don't forget to look at the Moon and Saturn! The Moon will appear almost on top of Saturn tonight. It seems somewhat appropriate to gaze at Saturn on the day named in its honor.
| Event | Time | Magnitude (Brightness) |
| ISS Rises | 6:35:08 PM | 0.7 |
| ISS Enters Shadow | 6:39:57 PM | -2.9 |
November 30 - Sunday
Saving the best for last, the orbiting laboratory will pass fully overhead on Sunday, closing out November with a bang!
As with the others, tonight's pass will start in the northwest between Bootes and Corona Borealis, but this time it will almost make it across the entire sky before entering our shadow. Look for it traveling southeast through Draco, Pegasus, and Pisces.
| Event | Time | Magnitude (Brightness) |
| ISS Rises | 5:47:29 PM | 0.6 |
| ISS Reaches Maximum Altitude | 5:52:57 PM | -3.9 |
| ISS Enters Shadow | 5:55:07 | -2.2 |
Let us know if you see it!