Can You See Satellites & ISS With Binoculars?

Satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) are fascinating objects that many people especially those who love stargazing or always remain curious about astronomy seem to be in love with. But due to the massive distance between the user and satellites, no one can see them with the naked eye. 

But the question comes to mind: Can I see ISS with binoculars? Yes, with the help of high-powered binoculars, you’ll be able to see the ISS (International Space Station) and satellites. However, the clarity of visuals will depend on multiple factors such as the timing of satellites, their location, and overall weather conditions.

It is important to note that the brightness of the object and the conditions of the sky can also impact visibility. In this guide, I will go into depth and explain every related to this topic.

Related Article: Binoculars Eye Relief 

What are Satellites and ISS?

Before I go into the details, I consider it mandatory to give you a brief introduction for those who are newbies and don’t know much about the ISS or satellites.

What are satellites? They are objects that orbit around a planet or other celestial body.  They can be either natural or artificial.

Are you confused about natural and artificial satellites? 

Look, the natural satellites are celestial bodies that orbit planets, such as the Earth’s moon. They are not in the control of human beings as they come into existence by divine power.

On the other hand, artificial satellites are man-made objects that are launched into space and placed in orbit around the Earth. These made satellites are very beneficial for human beings as they serve the purpose.

These satellites help in communications, navigation, weather forecasting, scientific research, and surveillance. 

Are you confused about ISS? It is a short form or abbreviation of the International Space Station. It is a habitable artificial satellite that orbits the Earth.

Point to Remember:  ISS is a joint project between five space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA.

It is interesting to note that ISS has been inhabited since November 2000 and serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory.

The ISS orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 408 kilometers (253 miles) and completes one orbit in about 90 minutes.

When I said that ISS is a habitat for astronomers, so the question might come to your mind how does the astronomer travel from one place to another in that station?

This international station consists of modules that are connected by a series of tunnels and hatches, allowing the crew to move around the station freely.

Can You See Satellites with Binoculars?

Yes, Satellites can be seen with binoculars, but they will appear as tiny dots moving quickly across the sky. 

There are many people who believe that these satellites can be seen with the naked eye which is totally wrong. You won’t be able to get a clear view of the ISS with your naked eyes.

But binoculars that have higher magnification can give you decent visuals. Thanks to their higher magnification power.

In fact, even if you high powered binos, you’ll still have to wait for the right time, and location to view the ISS and satellites. Not to forget that these satellites remain in continuous motion. So, to know their location, you’ll have to use different apps.

Without having the information about their location, you won’t be able to get the views of the satellites even if you have strong magnification-powered binos.

Factors to Consider if You Aim to View the ISS

As I mentioned earlier that the satellites remain in continuous motion. They are also very far away from the Earth. So, to get a closer view of these satellites, you must have basic knowledge such as the location of satellites, size of the satellites, and timing. 

In the section below, I will explain each of those factors that you must check before using binoculars to see the satellites and ISS.

1- Size of the Satellite

The size of the satellite has a massive impact on your viewing power. Keep in mind that satellites that are larger and more reflective are easier to spot than smaller ones. 

The ISS is one of the largest objects in the sky and is highly reflective, making it relatively easy to see with binoculars. With the help of high-powered binoculars, you’ll be able to spot the International Space Station.

2- Location

As I said earlier, the satellites remain in continuous motion. How will you know where you should point your binoculars to see the ISS? So, having information about the location of the ISS is inevitable. 

But the question might come to your mind how will you know the location of satellites? Don’t worry there are different online apps available that you use to use to know the exact real-time location of satellites. 

Here is the list of those apps:

• N2YO
• SatFinder
• GoSatWatch
• SkyTracker Pro
• Heavens Above

3- Time of Day

The time of day can also affect your chances of spotting a satellite. You should keep in mind that most of the satellites are usually visible during the early morning or late evening hours when the sun is below the horizon but still illuminating the sky. 

During the daytime, the sky is too bright to see satellites, and at night, the sky is too dark. So, you should choose the time carefully to ensure that you see the ISS and satellites. Early morning is the time when your chances of seeing satellites are high.

Point to Remember: The ISS orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, so it will only be visible from your location for a few minutes at a time. 

4- Weather Conditions

Weather conditions are another very prominent factor that can also affect your ability to see satellites. As you know, cloudy or overcast skies can make it difficult to see anything in the sky, 

In contrast, the clear skies provide the best viewing conditions. Windy conditions can also make it difficult to hold your binoculars steady. I recommend you choose a calm day for viewing.

How to Spot Satellites and ISS with Binoculars?

It is very important to know and learn how will you spot the satellites to ensure that you don’t miss the chance of getting a closer view. In the section below, I will go into more detail, and explain the factors that will help you in locating the satellites and ISS.

1- Useful Websites and Apps

Before attempting to spot satellites and ISS with binoculars, it’s a good idea to check websites and apps that provide information on when and where they will be visible. I have already mentioned that there are many apps that provide you with real-time data about the satellites.

These online apps not only provide real-time information on the position, but they also give you in-depth insight into the altitude and direction of the satellites and ISS. So getting help from these online apps surely helps the most in seeing the ISS.

2- Finding the Right Spot

To increase the chances of spotting the satellites and ISS, I highly recommend you find a spot with a clear view of the sky and minimal light pollution. 

A high vantage point, such as a hill or rooftop, can also help. It’s best to avoid areas with tall buildings or trees that could obstruct the view.

3- Tracking Satellites and ISS

After finding the right place, it’s time to start tracking the satellites and ISS.  Use any of the above-mentioned apps to get the real-time location. Track the satellites with a careful mind as the satellites and ISS move quickly across the sky, so it’s important to keep your binoculars steady and follow the object as it moves.

4- High Powered Binoculars

Not all binoculars are suitable for spotting satellites and ISS. So, I recommend you use high-powered binoculars with a magnification of at least 20x and an objective lens of 50mm or larger.

 Binoculars with image stabilization can also be helpful in keeping the view steady. Why image stabilization? Look, the 20x magnification in binoculars makes it very hard to get steady visuals. Higher magnification makes binos give you shaky visuals.

But with the image stabilization feature, you’ll be able to get steady visuals because all the shakiness will be filtered out and you’ll get perfectly stable visuals.

5- Be Patient and Persistent

Tracking satellites and the ISS can be challenging, especially if you are new to stargazing. So having patience is very important. I highly recommend you to be patient, and persistent and wait for the right time.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see anything on your first attempt. After trying and practicing, one day, you will become more skilled at finding and tracking these objects in the night sky.

Frequently Asked Questions