When can I see the ISS from Changchun?

The next pass over Changchun is on Friday 16 October at 03:51 GMT+8, rising in the south. The best times to look are during the dark hours just after dusk and just before dawn, when the station is lit by the Sun while the sky around you is dark.

Which direction does the ISS appear from in Changchun?

The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Changchun begin in the western half of the sky and travel towards the east. Each pass on this page lists the exact rise and set directions.

How bright is the ISS over Changchun?

During a high pass the ISS can reach magnitude -3 to -4, brighter than any star or planet. It looks like a steady white dot moving across the sky over a few minutes. It does not blink or have coloured lights, which is how you tell it apart from an aircraft.

Do I need a telescope to see the ISS from Changchun?

No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Changchun. A telescope or binoculars are not needed and actually make it harder to follow because the station moves quickly across the sky.

ISS Over Changchun Tonight

The next pass of the International Space Station over Changchun, China will be visible to the naked eye on Friday 16 October at 03:51 GMT+8. It rises in the south and reaches a maximum elevation of 13 degrees above the horizon, a low pass close to the horizon. The pass lasts about 6 min 20 sec. Look up and you should see a steady, bright white point of light moving smoothly across the sky.

Open the live pass tracker for Changchun →

Next visible ISS passes over Changchun

When (local time)	Direction	Max elevation	Visible for	Brightness
Friday 16 October 03:51 GMT+8	S → ENE	13°Low	6 min 20 sec	Faintmag -0.1
Saturday 17 October 04:39 GMT+8	SW → ENE	58°Very good	8 min	Brightmag -2.7
Sunday 18 October 03:52 GMT+8	SW → ENE	35°Good	5 min 30 sec	Moderatemag -1.7
Monday 19 October 03:05 GMT+8	SSW → ENE	22°Fair	3 min 10 sec	Faintmag 0.7
Monday 19 October 04:41 GMT+8	WSW → ENE	56°Very good	7 min	Very brightmag -3.0
Tuesday 20 October 02:18 GMT+8	S → ENE	14°Low	40 sec	Faintmag 2.1
Tuesday 20 October 03:54 GMT+8	WSW → ENE	86°Excellent	5 min	Brightmag -2.5
Wednesday 21 October 03:07 GMT+8	SW → ENE	59°Very good	2 min 40 sec	Faintmag 0.8
Wednesday 21 October 04:44 GMT+8	W → ENE	30°Good	6 min 40 sec	Brightmag -2.1
Thursday 22 October 02:20 GMT+8	SW → ENE	36°Good	40 sec	Faintmag 2.2
Thursday 22 October 03:56 GMT+8	WSW → ENE	39°Good	4 min 40 sec	Moderatemag -1.7
Friday 23 October 03:09 GMT+8	WSW → ENE	56°Very good	2 min 30 sec	Faintmag 0.8

Showing the next 12 naked-eye visible passes over Changchun, in local time (Asia/Shanghai). A more negative magnitude is a brighter pass.

Can you see the ISS from Changchun?

Yes. The International Space Station is visible from Changchun several times a month, whenever it passes overhead during the hour or two after sunset or before sunrise while it is still catching sunlight against a dark sky. No telescope is needed; the station is one of the brightest objects in the night sky and is easily seen with the unaided eye. Your next good opportunity from Changchun is on Friday 16 October at around 03:56 GMT+8, when the station climbs to 13 degrees above the horizon.

About the International Space Station

The International Space Station is the largest human-made structure in orbit, about the size of a football pitch and weighing roughly 420 tonnes. It circles the Earth at an altitude of around 420 kilometres and a speed of about 28,000 kilometres per hour, completing one orbit roughly every 90 minutes. That means the crew on board see around 16 sunrises and sunsets every day.

Because the station is so large and its solar panels are so reflective, it shines by reflected sunlight and can become one of the brightest objects in the night sky. It is visible from the ground without any equipment whenever it passes overhead during twilight, when the observer is in darkness but the station high above is still bathed in sunlight.

How to spot the ISS from Changchun

Find a spot with a clear view of the sky and as little light pollution as possible. A few minutes before the pass time listed above, look towards the rising direction shown for the pass. You do not need a telescope or binoculars; the station is easily bright enough to see with your eyes alone.

The ISS appears as a steady, bright point of light that glides smoothly across the sky. Unlike an aircraft it has no flashing or coloured lights. A pass lasts only a few minutes, and the station may suddenly fade and disappear partway across the sky as it crosses into the Earth’s shadow, so be ready and keep watching.

Frequently asked questions

When can I see the ISS from Changchun?: The next pass over Changchun is on Friday 16 October at 03:51 GMT+8, rising in the south. The best times to look are during the dark hours just after dusk and just before dawn, when the station is lit by the Sun while the sky around you is dark.
Which direction does the ISS appear from in Changchun?: The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Changchun begin in the western half of the sky and travel towards the east. Each pass on this page lists the exact rise and set directions.
How bright is the ISS over Changchun?: During a high pass the ISS can reach magnitude -3 to -4, brighter than any star or planet. It looks like a steady white dot moving across the sky over a few minutes. It does not blink or have coloured lights, which is how you tell it apart from an aircraft.
Do I need a telescope to see the ISS from Changchun?: No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Changchun. A telescope or binoculars are not needed and actually make it harder to follow because the station moves quickly across the sky.

ISS Over Changchun Tonight

Next visible ISS passes over Changchun

Can you see the ISS from Changchun?

About the International Space Station

How to spot the ISS from Changchun

Frequently asked questions

Other cities in China

Nearby cities

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