Tonight at 21:36 there will be a spectacle over Croatia: 'It will be right over our heads'

Tonight, the International Space Station will pass directly over Croatia, offering a rare and spectacular sight visible to the naked eye. The space station, orbiting Earth at approximately 28,000 kilometers per hour, will appear as a bright white dot moving steadily across the sky. This event will occur around 9:36 PM local time, with the station passing nearly overhead, making it one of the closest and most visible passes in recent months. The visibility of the International Space Station is due to its position relative to the observer and the angle of sunlight reflecting off its large solar panels. According to Ante Radonić, an astronomer and science communicator, the station will be particularly bright because it will be illuminated by the sun while simultaneously being in shadow from Earth's perspective. This combination of light and darkness creates ideal conditions for viewing the station as it moves through the night sky. Radonić explained that for the space station to be clearly visible, several factors must align. First, the area from which it is observed must be in darkness, while the station itself must be illuminated by sunlight. These conditions will be met tonight, allowing observers to see the station without the need for telescopes or binoculars. It will appear as a very bright star-like object moving smoothly across the sky, unlike airplanes, which have blinking navigation lights, or other satellites, which tend to flicker. The path of the International Space Station will take it over the Adriatic region, passing near the Gorski Kotar area before heading towards the east. From Zagreb, viewers can expect to witness the entire passage, which will last approximately ten minutes. Observers should look west-southwest starting at 9:36 PM, and the station will disappear on the opposite side of the horizon, towards east-southeast. This will not be the only opportunity to see the International Space Station this month. Another flyby is scheduled for Friday, July 24, at 9:40 PM, though it will occur at a slightly lower altitude. Both events provide excellent opportunities for amateur astronomers and casual observers alike to experience the presence of human activity in space firsthand. Currently, the International Space Station hosts crew members from NASA, Roscosmos, and the European Space Agency. Their work involves maintaining the complex infrastructure of the station, conducting scientific experiments related to life in microgravity, studying the effects of weightlessness on humans, plants, bacteria, and new materials, and preparing for future spacecraft arrivals and departures. The station is set to retire in 2030, with commercial orbital stations developed by private companies expected to take over its role. NASA plans to purchase services from these companies for its astronauts and research missions, shifting focus toward lunar exploration under the Artemis program and eventually missions to Mars. However, the lifespan of the International Space Station could potentially be extended if private companies delay their projects. Tonight’s event offers a unique chance for people across Croatia to observe the International Space Station as it glides silently above them, a testament to international cooperation in space exploration. With clear skies, the station will be easily identifiable as a bright, steady point of light moving across the heavens.