When can I see the ISS from Málaga?

The next pass over Málaga is on Friday 17 July at 00:40 CEST, rising in the northwest. 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 Málaga?

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

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 Málaga?

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

ISS Over Málaga Tonight

The next pass of the International Space Station over Málaga, Spain will be visible to the naked eye on Friday 17 July at 00:40 CEST. It rises in the northwest and reaches a maximum elevation of 14 degrees above the horizon, a low pass close to the horizon. The pass lasts about 4 min 30 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 Málaga →

Next visible ISS passes over Málaga

When (local time)	Direction	Max elevation	Visible for	Brightness
Friday 17 July 00:40 CEST	NW → E	14°Low	4 min 30 sec	Faintmag 0.2
Friday 17 July 02:16 CEST	NW → SE	88°Excellent	50 sec	Faintmag 1.3
Friday 17 July 23:52 CEST	NW → ENE	11°Low	6 min	Faintmag 0.0
Saturday 18 July 01:29 CEST	NW → ESE	48°Very good	2 min 30 sec	Faintmag 0.9
Sunday 19 July 00:42 CEST	NW → ESE	29°Good	3 min 40 sec	Faintmag 0.2
Sunday 19 July 23:54 CEST	NW → E	20°Fair	5 min 10 sec	Faintmag -0.7
Monday 20 July 01:31 CEST	NW → SE	48°Very good	1 min 20 sec	Faintmag 1.1
Monday 20 July 23:07 CEST	NW → E	14°Low	6 min 40 sec	Faintmag -0.5
Tuesday 21 July 00:43 CEST	NW → SE	89°Excellent	3 min	Faintmag 0.3
Tuesday 21 July 22:19 CEST	NW → ENE	11°Low	8 min 10 sec	Faintmag -0.3
Tuesday 21 July 23:56 CEST	NW → ESE	48°Very good	4 min 30 sec	Moderatemag -1.4
Wednesday 22 July 01:33 CEST	WNW → S	15°Low	20 sec	Faintmag 1.4

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

Can you see the ISS from Málaga?

Yes. The International Space Station is visible from Málaga 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 Málaga is on Friday 17 July at around 00:45 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 Málaga

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 Málaga?: The next pass over Málaga is on Friday 17 July at 00:40 CEST, rising in the northwest. 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 Málaga?: The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Málaga 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 Málaga?: 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 Málaga?: No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Málaga. 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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