When can I see the ISS from Rome?

The next pass over Rome is on Saturday 15 August at 05:40 CEST, rising in the south-southwest. 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 Rome?

The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Rome 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 Rome?

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 Rome?

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

ISS Over Rome Tonight

The next pass of the International Space Station over Rome, Italy will be visible to the naked eye on Saturday 15 August at 05:40 CEST. It rises in the south-southwest and reaches a maximum elevation of 14 degrees above the horizon, a low pass close to the horizon. The pass lasts about 7 min 10 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 Rome →

Next visible ISS passes over Rome

When (local time)	Direction	Max elevation	Visible for	Brightness
Saturday 15 August 05:40 CEST	SSW → ENE	14°Low	7 min 10 sec	Faintmag -0.5
Monday 17 August 05:40 CEST	SW → ENE	40°Good	7 min 50 sec	Brightmag -2.2
Tuesday 18 August 04:53 CEST	SSW → ENE	23°Fair	6 min 50 sec	Moderatemag -1.4
Wednesday 19 August 04:06 CEST	S → ENE	14°Low	4 min 30 sec	Faintmag -0.5
Wednesday 19 August 05:41 CEST	WSW → NE	70°Excellent	8 min 40 sec	Very brightmag -3.2

Showing the next 5 naked-eye visible passes over Rome, in local time (Europe/Rome). A more negative magnitude is a brighter pass.

Can you see the ISS from Rome?

Yes. The International Space Station is visible from Rome 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 Rome is on Saturday 15 August at around 05:45 CEST, when the station climbs to 14 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 Rome

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 Rome?: The next pass over Rome is on Saturday 15 August at 05:40 CEST, rising in the south-southwest. 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 Rome?: The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Rome 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 Rome?: 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 Rome?: No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Rome. A telescope or binoculars are not needed and actually make it harder to follow because the station moves quickly across the sky.

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