This challenge would last at least one calendar year and be open to all Marines. The challenge involves seeing, recording, and reporting real-time outdoor sightings of the International Space Station by our members. In a simple, cost-free, outdoor-active fashion, this challenge would connect our members with the environment and the space program. Reporting the observations – as simply as adding a line to the unit’s by-monthly report – including the time, date, and location of the sighting, along with the observer’s name(s) and units, will not be onerous. Location can be reported by zip or postal code or latitude and longitude (of the nearest town).

To make the challenge interesting for units / individuals, the Third Brigade suggest following the format of the Commandant’s Reading Challenge: keeping records for a period from International Muster to International Muster, with the name of the individual (adult and cadet) who reports the most sightings to be announced at Muster.

The International Space Station can be readily observed with the naked eye. No special equipment is needed. Because of its size, speed and color, the ISS is distinctive, and once seen, cannot be mistaken for any other object in the sky. Cadets can observe as well as adults. Like the reading challenge, it is open to persons of nearly any ability level. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides a free service to advise subscribers when an opportunity to see the station will occur.(see below)

Of course we would not want our members endangering themselves by attempting observations during severe weather conditions. Observation does require going outdoors.

Sharing this with non-members, who find the sight inspirational and often ask us more about the Station, NASA, and the SFMC. It’s our belief that our fellow Marines, many of whom have never seen the Station pass overhead, would also enjoy this activity – and perhaps find it a useful recruitment/ retention tool, as well as a reliable source of baseline predictable outdoor events that can be readily shared; it may also prove a useful introduction to stellar cartography.  The experience of finding the ISS in the sky can be educational: one learns to ascertain directions, estimate elevation, and track a moving object through observing.

How do I Spot The Station?

What does all this sighting information mean?

• Time is when the sighting opportunity will begin in your local time zone. All sightings will occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset. This is the optimum viewing period as the sun reflects off the space station and contrasts against the darker sky.
• Visible is the maximum time period the space station is visible before crossing back below the horizon.
• Max Height is measured in degrees (also known as elevation). It represents the height of the space station from the horizon in the night sky. The horizon is at zero degrees, and directly overhead is ninety degrees. If you hold your fist at arm’s length and place your fist resting on the horizon, the top will be about 10 degrees.
• Appears is the location in the sky where the station will be visible first. This value, like maximum height, also is measured in degrees from the horizon. The letters represent compass directions — N is north, WNW is west by northwest, and so on.
• Disappears represents where in the night sky the International Space Station will leave your field of view.

Important: The International Space Station orbits with an inclination of 51.6 degrees. This means that, as it orbits, the farthest north and south of the Equator it will ever go is 51.6 degrees latitude. If you live north or south of 51.6 degrees, the ISS will never go directly over your head- this includes places like Alaska. Spot The Station may not properly inform you of all visible space station passes in these locations.