No the ISS has been in orbit since 20th November 1998 when the first module called Zarya was launched. It gradually grew from there.

Gatwick's light pollution denies me the night sky, nevertheless I went to the local park and I actually saw ISS for the first time. Those of you with lovely starry skies, telescopes and whatnot, don't knock it.

I've found a new use for Stellarium, as desktop wallpaper for my second monitor. I've got the satellite plugin, every now and then something wanders past, during the day it's just pretty.

Thanks for that but why is it only seen in the summer time?

What makes you think it is only seen in summer time? It is seen all the year round.

However it is only visible from Britain during short seasons. This is to do with the ISS passing over Britain either at dusk or dawn.

The ISS passes over Britain every day in life but lighting conditions render it invisible.

My b/f pointed it out to me and he said we can only see it in the summer but you say it's all year - he must be wrong then so thanks for correcting him.

Easily proved. Go back through this thread and there are sightings all the year round.

See sighting in December

I had a look and October is mentioned too.

Another question is that we saw it at the bottom of our garden so will it be in the same place or do we have to look from somewhere else later?

The ISS usually rises in the west but the path it makes across the sky varies a lot. It it goes overhead as it was doing some days ago in the south of Britain then one can view from anywhere. If it is coming over much lower in the sky as it is this week then one needs a clear southern horizon otherwise it gets hard to see.

One gets used to knowing where to look.

Ah ok, we looked towards where the sun usually sets so we'll just keep an eye out for it in that direction and perhaps sometimes from the other side of the house in front garden which I know is south because in the winter we get cold winds on the back of the house and he says they are north winds.

I've not seen it since we moved to this new house - we haven't moved that far, but I am pretty sure that the orientation of the house is completely different.

Would someone be kind enough to post the link to the site that tells you when it is due to pass your area again please? (looks in HenryGarten's direction )

Have a look at the Heavens Above web site and select 10 Day Predictions for ISS. That will give you a list of when you can see it at Romford. The higher the "Alt" figure (up to 90) at Highest Point the nearer to overhead it will pass at the time stated. There should not be any high level evening passes before mid October.

It is getting a bit tricky as it is low in the sky.

Tomorrow (Thursday 23rd August) at 9.57 pm to 10pm here is the path in the sky

A bit better on Friday 24th August at 9.05pm to 9.09 pm it is a little bit better. See path in sky.

Then it is a wait until 10 th October for the next evening sightings.

Some fantastic passes from about 15th to 21st October

Thanks

On the back of this last night, I finally took the plunge and ordered a telescope - nothing fancy, just a Celestron 70mm Travel Scope - should be enough for our needs

Oh fantastic. I seem to remember the telescope plan from a wee while back!

Mind you the ISS is easily seen without a telescope.

Scope has arrived - just need to work it out now!

So far, it seems that the 10mm eyepiece gives more magnified view than the 20mm, and we are assuming that the 4mm will be further magnified again?

Yes that seems to be the way of things. See here

Thanks - I've bookmarked that, as its all a bit double dutch to me at the moment.

Space X lifts off for the ISS See here

The next ISS evening viewing season begins on Thursday night.

Shame ISS isn't visible in my neck of the woods for another 5 days or so. And even then isn't going to be a great magnitude.

Passes of the ISS getting much better. Tomorrow night at 7.56 pm there is quite a decent pass.

I noticed it going over just as I was watching Felix landing. Nice moment.

Nice double that people will find difficulty replicating.

It's a second nice clear night here. I was checking out Jupiter and Orion late last night with remarkable clarity.

EDIT: Having said that it has now completely clouded over.

Good pass due. Sadly weather is not good over most of England.

If you live in the north west England or Dumfries and Galloway you may see it.