Home

International Space Station flyover to light up Valentine’s sky over WA

The West Australian
The bright dot of the International Space Station in the night sky.
Camera IconThe bright dot of the International Space Station in the night sky. Credit: Perth Observatory

As far as romantic nights out go, you can barely go past a night gazing at the stars.

Tonight, just in time for Valentine’s Day, West Australians will be treated to a spectacle in the night sky.

The International Space Station will fly over tonight and, according to the experts at the Perth Observatory it will be glow particularly bright for the most romantic night of the year.

It will be visible over WA between 8.37pm and 8.41pm.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Matt Woods said the space station flew over WA monthly but rarely is it so bright.

“It happens to be that because it’s about 450km above Earth, it’s still receiving light from the sun and we’re in the right place at the right time to see it so bright,” Mr Woods said.

Valentine’s Day night is proving to be popular for Perth stargazers, so much so, that loved-up couples had been put on to a waiting list for a special event at the observatory tonight.

“I think even if they’re not thinking it all the time, people really are pretty amazed by what’s in the universe,” he said.

The International Space Station as it orbits Earth.
Camera IconThe International Space Station as it orbits Earth. Credit: NASA/Roscosmos

“It also gets you massive brownie points.”

If you’ll be too busy gazing into your lover’s eyes to look at the stars tonight, the space station will also make two appearances at 7.50pm tomorrow and at 7.51pm on Monday.

But, stargazers will have to keep their fingers crossed for clear skies with stormy conditions and showers forecast tonight and partly cloudy conditions over the weekend. The clouds are forecast to clear in time for Monday.

Space enthusiasts will gather at Curtin University on February 29 for Astrofest, which is one of their biggest events of the year.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails