Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches


Space Station Will Put On A Show in May Above Oregon, Washington, Coastlines

Published 5/02/24 at 4:35 a.m.
By Andre' Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection


(Bandon, Oregon) – Weather in Oregon and Washington is apparently going to start taking a turn for the stunning early next week, and that is going to be good news for those on the coast or anywhere else with a nice, dark sky. The International Space Station (ISS) is going to get good and bright about then, and it's going to make a stellar show – if you'll excuse the pun. (ISS in Portland in July, 2023 - Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo)

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; winter deals

If you're going to hit the Oregon coast or Washington coast, next week's yummy weather conditions are the time. By the end of next week there's a chance some areas will be hitting the 70s, on top of it.

However, according to OMSI's astronomy expert Jim Todd in Portland, the ISS is going to have some pretty decent flyovers, if you use the listings at places like Heaven's Above.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection noticed a flurry of ISS sightings last year, especially in late May and June. That and numerous satellites really made some striking appearances.

So is this a kind of “season” for sightings?

No, Todd said. He told Oregon Coast Beach Connection for the ISS it's a matter of timing and location. However, May is going to be good for spotting the ISS this year.

See Extremely Bright Fireball Seen in Skies Two Years Apart Almost to the Day and Hour Spectacular Green Fireball Lights Up Oregon Valley Through Washington Coast

“There are several sighting opportunities of the International Space Station for Portland from now through May 28,” he said. “First half of May the ISS will be early mornings. Then the rest of the month will be evenings. After May 28, ISS will not be visible again until June 22.”

Todd said to keep an eye on the skies on May 7, 10, 13, 24: some of the best flyovers occur then. And they'll be of a decent brightness.


The ISS snapped this high-altitude shot of Coos Bay, getting quite close up (courtesy NASA).

“The flyovers will be at a bright magnitude of -3 (equals the brightness of Venus) and visible for duration of 7 minutes,” he said.

Some examples:

- May 7 at 4:53 am, with ISS appearing from WNW, overhead at 78 degrees NNE and then disappears in ESE.

- May 10 at 10:50 am, with ISS appearing from WNW, overhead at 76 degrees SSW and then disappears in SE.

- May 13 at 9:30 pm, with ISS appearing from WSW, visible at 90 degrees NNE and then disappears in ENE.

- May 24 at 10:05 pm, with ISS appearing from WNW, visible at 84 degrees SSW and then disappears in ESE.

Todd said it always amazes people when they're told you can see the Space Station with your naked eye. It's orbiting above us at 17,500 mph – and yet no optical aid is needed.


Oregon Coast Beach Connection

“As big as a football field, the ISS is visible by help of sunlight shining on its metallic modules and enormous solar panels,” Todd said. “To the unaided eye it appears as a very bright point of light generally traveling from west to east that does not twinkle and moving against the stars in the background. As to just how bright it should get, it should be plainly visible even from your own backyard. “

Various other satellites roam the skies as well. You can tell the difference easily between satellites, the ISS and aircraft. Aircraft of any kind will have a blinking light, but anything orbiting will not. It will be moving faster than an airplane in the skies and will appear then disappear at some point as it no longer catches the sunlight.

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours



MORE PHOTOS BELOW






Booking.com



Starlink satellites above Portland, Oregon Coast Beach Connection

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....


Coastal Spotlight


Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Astoria Wants To Hear Your Story If You Worked on Oregon, Coastal Movie Set
A special history project wants your story

World War II Radar Bunker at Cape Arago Near Coos Bay: Oregon Coast's Station...
South coast history takes a surprising twist

Lincoln City Police Car Hit By Falling Tree in Central Oregon Coast Storm: Video
You can see the tree leaning then tipping over. 1 other car involved. Weather

Central Oregon Coast St Paddy's Day Music in March - Numerous Lincoln City ev...
AML Trio, March 8; Elton John Tribute, March 8; Spring Break Party, Casino

Netarts Online Nature Program Takes You Inside N. Oregon Coast Beaches
February 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., called Beaches, Birds, and Beyond. Oceanside events, Tillamook events, Pacific City events

Oregon Coast Access #19: Arch Cape's Leech Lane Crammed with Layers and a Sec...
A remarkable beachy tidbit south of Cannon Beach

Oregon Wildlife Experts Immobilze Elk on N. Coast, Disentangle Rope from Its ...
Bull elk near Cannon Beach caught in rope with lawn decorations. Sciences

Update on S. Oregon Coast Closures at Sunset Bay Campground, Shore Acres
What's opening near Coos Bay and what isn't yet: travel, hiking advice. Coos Bay, Charleston


Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted