When can I see the ISS from Abu Dhabi?

The next pass over Abu Dhabi is on Wednesday 12 August at 05:17 GST, 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 Abu Dhabi?

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

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 Abu Dhabi?

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

ISS Over Abu Dhabi Tonight

The next pass of the International Space Station over Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates will be visible to the naked eye on Wednesday 12 August at 05:17 GST. It rises in the south-southwest and reaches a maximum elevation of 26 degrees above the horizon, a clear pass well above the horizon. The pass lasts about 9 min 50 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 Abu Dhabi →

Next visible ISS passes over Abu Dhabi

When (local time)	Direction	Max elevation	Visible for	Brightness
Wednesday 12 August 05:17 GST	SSW → NE	26°Good	9 min 50 sec	Moderatemag -1.2
Thursday 13 August 04:29 GST	S → ENE	13°Low	6 min 40 sec	Faintmag -0.3
Friday 14 August 05:17 GST	SW → NE	61°Excellent	8 min 30 sec	Very brightmag -3.1
Saturday 15 August 04:29 GST	SSW → NE	57°Very good	6 min 10 sec	Brightmag -2.8
Sunday 16 August 03:42 GST	SSW → NE	25°Good	3 min 30 sec	Faintmag 0.2
Sunday 16 August 05:19 GST	WSW → NNE	16°Fair	7 min	Moderatemag -1.2
Monday 17 August 02:55 GST	S → ENE	13°Low	1 min	Faintmag 1.8
Monday 17 August 04:31 GST	WSW → NNE	29°Good	5 min 10 sec	Moderatemag -1.9
Tuesday 18 August 03:43 GST	SW → NE	64°Excellent	3 min 10 sec	Faintmag 0.1
Wednesday 19 August 02:55 GST	SSW → NE	54°Very good	1 min	Faintmag 2.0

Showing the next 10 naked-eye visible passes over Abu Dhabi, in local time (Asia/Dubai). A more negative magnitude is a brighter pass.

Can you see the ISS from Abu Dhabi?

Yes. The International Space Station is visible from Abu Dhabi 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 Abu Dhabi is on Wednesday 12 August at around 05:22 GST, when the station climbs to 26 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 Abu Dhabi

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 Abu Dhabi?: The next pass over Abu Dhabi is on Wednesday 12 August at 05:17 GST, 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 Abu Dhabi?: The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Abu Dhabi 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 Abu Dhabi?: 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 Abu Dhabi?: No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Abu Dhabi. 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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