What Is That Thing In the Sky?

Have you been noticing the International Space Station in the evening sky these past few days? It's pretty cool. It looks like a bright star but it moves fairly quickly across the sky.  

In fact, it travels at over 4 miles per second. 

It goes around the earth something like 15 times per day. 

I find it fascinating. 

Do you know how long it's been up there?

Since 1998. 

Again -- fascinating. 

And even though it is the third largest appearing object in the sky, it is only roughly the length of a football field. (I can relate to that comparison!)

 

Why does it seem so big?

Because it's a gazillion times closer to us than the stars. 

And it's got all the reflection panel things on it which reflect the sun's rays and make it pretty bright. 

I found this website on the Internet that talks about getting location and time notifications regarding the space station flying over if you're interested in knowing that kind of thing. 

http://earthsky.org/human-world/how-to-spot-the-international-space-station

The International Space Station. 

I do find it fascinating. 

By the way, do you know what a V22 Osprey is? Speaking of fascinating.