NASA hypes July 4 ISS sighting chances

WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says there will be some long International Space Station sighting opportunities during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.

"As America celebrates its 233rd birthday … there will be an extra light in the sky along with the fireworks," NASA said. "Across the country, Americans will be treated to spectacular views of the International Space Station as it orbits 220 miles above Earth.

"Many locations will have unusually long sighting opportunities of as much as five minutes, weather permitting, as the station flies almost directly overhead."

The space station is the largest spacecraft ever built and the most reflective, the space agency said. The ISS appears as a solid, glowing light, slowly crossing the predawn or evening sky. Scientists say a good set of binoculars can enhance the viewing experience, even revealing some detail of the station's structure.

"The station circles Earth every 90 minutes," NASA said. "It is 357 feet long, about the length of a football field including the end zones, and 45 feet tall. Its reflective solar arrays are 240 feet wide, a wingspan greater than that of a jumbo jet, and have a total surface area of more than 38,000 square feet."

Sighting dates and times for specific U.S. cities are available at http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/skywatch.cgi?country=United+States.