When can I see the ISS from Amsterdam?

The next pass over Amsterdam is on Friday 10 July at 22:57 CEST, rising in the west-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 Amsterdam?

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

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 Amsterdam?

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

ISS Over Amsterdam Tonight

The next pass of the International Space Station over Amsterdam, The Netherlands will be visible to the naked eye on Friday 10 July at 22:57 CEST. It rises in the west-southwest and reaches a maximum elevation of 49 degrees above the horizon, a high, bright pass that is easy to spot. The pass lasts about 10 min 40 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 Amsterdam →

Next visible ISS passes over Amsterdam

When (local time)	Direction	Max elevation	Visible for	Brightness
Friday 10 July 22:57 CEST	WSW → E	49°Very good	10 min 40 sec	Very brightmag -3.0
Saturday 11 July 00:33 CEST	W → E	78°Excellent	10 min 51 sec	Very brightmag -3.3
Saturday 11 July 02:10 CEST	W → ESE	45°Very good	7 min 20 sec	Brightmag -2.9
Saturday 11 July 03:47 CEST	W → SSE	14°Low	3 min 20 sec	Faintmag -0.9
Saturday 11 July 23:46 CEST	W → E	76°Excellent	10 min 50 sec	Very brightmag -3.3
Sunday 12 July 01:23 CEST	W → ESE	56°Very good	7 min 20 sec	Very brightmag -3.2
Sunday 12 July 03:00 CEST	W → SSE	19°Fair	3 min 30 sec	Moderatemag -1.1
Sunday 12 July 22:59 CEST	WSW → E	70°Excellent	10 min 49 sec	Very brightmag -3.2
Monday 13 July 00:35 CEST	W → ESE	67°Excellent	8 min 10 sec	Very brightmag -3.3
Monday 13 July 02:12 CEST	W → SE	26°Good	4 min 20 sec	Moderatemag -1.7
Monday 13 July 23:48 CEST	W → E	74°Excellent	9 min 10 sec	Very brightmag -3.3
Tuesday 14 July 01:25 CEST	W → SE	34°Good	5 min 20 sec	Brightmag -2.5

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

Can you see the ISS from Amsterdam?

Yes. The International Space Station is visible from Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam is on Friday 10 July at around 23:02 CEST, when the station climbs to 49 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 Amsterdam

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 Amsterdam?: The next pass over Amsterdam is on Friday 10 July at 22:57 CEST, rising in the west-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 Amsterdam?: The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam?: 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 Amsterdam?: No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Amsterdam. A telescope or binoculars are not needed and actually make it harder to follow because the station moves quickly across the sky.

Other cities in The Netherlands

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ISS over Brussels · Belgium
ISS over Essen · Germany
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ISS over Dortmund · Germany
ISS over Köln · Germany