[2Trievers]

A giant space bug? No, the international space station, as seen in June from the Table Mountain Observatory in California.

[Balding_Eagle]

Interested? Then you need to know when and where to crane your neck. Three Web sites can calculate upcoming viewing opportunities in your area, just type in your zip code or city. The sites work for readers in other parts of the world as well.

They are Chris Peat's Heavens Above, Science@NASA's J-Pass and NASA's SkyWatch. The first one provides customized sky charts based on your location.

Their predictions are generally accurate to within minutes, but one should double-check closer to actual viewing times for last-minute updates.

That is because the station can go slightly up or down in its orbital path, depending on the natural decay of its orbit or periodic boosts to higher altitudes.

Why does the station vary in brightness? It depends on how much sunlight bounces off of it. The light-colored ship can reflect back up to 90 percent of the light that strikes it, according to NASA.

[Vinnie]

Here is the site I use to track objects. If you have't done so, try the Iridium Flares. They are facinating. http://www.heavens-above.com/

[visitor]

http://www.heavens-above.com/

http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JPass/

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/

...rto

[LibKill]

Ahem. It is not a spaceship. A spaceship can move under its own power.

It is a space station.

[Calvin Locke]

...trained a small telescope...my 10-inch...

10 inches small? For the average person, the best telescope is the one that is going to get the most use.

I just ordered 63mm binoculars for astronomical as well as terrestial use.