ISS pass times · United States
When is the ISS visible over Anchorage?
Find the next visible passes over Anchorage, United States, in local time. See when to step outside, which direction to look, and how high the station climbs. Visibility depends on a clear sky and a sunlit station.
Next visible passes over Anchorage
Local time · America/Anchorage · Clear skies required
YOUR BEST PASS IN THE NEXT 7 DAYS
Friday, Oct 23
Step outside 5 minutes early. Look SW, then follow the light toward SE.
17° above the horizon · About 4 minutes visible
Chosen using height, duration and brightness. Weather isn't available for every candidate; check the clouds before you go.
Shared links use an approximate area, rounded to about 10 km.
| When to look | Direction | Max height | Visible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Oct 19 | S → SE | 12° | 3 min |
| Tue, Oct 20 | SSE → SSE | 10° | 1 min |
| Wed, Oct 21 | SSW → SE | 16° | 4 min |
| Thu, Oct 22 | S → SE | 14° | 3 min |
| Thu, Oct 22 | SW → S | 17° | 3 min |
Calculated Oct 18, 3:21 PM AKDT. Predictions farther ahead can change after orbital adjustments. Check again on the day.
Viewing from Anchorage
Anchorage sits at 61.2° latitude — farther from the equator than the station's 51.6° orbit reaches, so the ISS never passes directly overhead here. It instead crosses the southern half of the sky, and the best passes arc partway up from the southern horizon. They are still bright and easy to see; just make sure your view toward the south is open.
How to read the pass times
Each pass shows its start time in Anchorage local time, the compass direction it travels (for example W→SE means it rises in the west and sets in the southeast), its maximum height above the horizon, and how long it stays visible. Higher passes are usually easier to see above buildings and trees. No telescope is needed. New to this? Read our guide to seeing the ISS or watch the station's position right now on the live tracker.