The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is passing overhead!

It may not be as bright as the International Space Station (ISS), but it’s another great satellite to tick off your bucket list! Hubble doesn’t have as many surfaces to reflect the sunlight like the ISS has and that’s why it will never appear as bright. You don’t need a telescope or binoculars to see it. People who are out under a dark night sky in country WA will have a better chance of seeing it because there is much less artificial light pollution. However, try your luck in the city too!

When and where to look:

Tuesday, 5th May 2020

At 7:28pm, look towards the WNW horizon. It will travel towards the NNW.

Wednesday, 6th May 2020

At 7:17pm, it will rise from the WNW horizon. This night and the next night will be the best time to view the Hubble over the next couple of days as it will be at it’s brightest. 

Thursday, 7th May 2020

At 7:06pm, look towards the western horizon. It will travel towards the NNE. This will be a bright pass.

Friday, 8th May 2020

At 6:56pm. The Hubble will be traveling again from the western horizon towards the north east. 

Saturday, 9th May 2020

At 6:45pm, coming from the west, the Hubble will be traveling towards the north east. 

Sunday, 10th May 2020

At 6:34pm, look towards the western horizon. The Hubble will be traveling towards the north east.

Watch for a dim star that moves slowly and steadily across the night sky in a straight line. You might notice that the satellite gets brighter before it disappears from view altogether. When it disappears from view, what you’re seeing is the Hubble move into Earth’s shadow.

Discover How to Track the HST

There are some great apps and computer software programs to help you track the HST yourself. Here are a few of our free favourites:

Orbitrack (iPhone, coming to Android in 2019)

Heavens Above (Android app and computer)

Sputnik! (iPhone app)

What is Hubble Doing Now?

Hubble was launch in April 1990 and has been taking amazing images ever since.

What the latest news from Hubble?

Find the latest Hubble images here…

How Can you See More Satellites?

Take a trip to country WA. The best satellite spotting time is in the hour or so after sunset. Grab your favourite chair or picnic rug, lie back and start counting!