Heavens-Above

Heavens-Above makes fast-moving objects predictable from an ordinary observing spot. After a location is set, it lists upcoming passes of the International Space Station, notable satellites and brighter objects, with times, directions, magnitudes and ground tracks. Interactive orbit views help explain why a pass occurs, while separate pages cover newly launched groups such as Starlink. The same account-free starting point also opens sky charts, planets, comets, asteroids and eclipse information.

Its dense, old-school navigation is less inviting than a modern mobile planetarium, but the compact tables are excellent when the question is specific: “where should I face at 19:42?” Accuracy depends on a correct observer location and recent orbital elements; manoeuvring spacecraft or a newly launched object can make long-range predictions less certain. Cloud and horizon obstructions are outside the calculation. For satellite watchers, radio amateurs tracking spacecraft and families hoping to catch the ISS, Heavens-Above remains a direct route from orbital mechanics to a naked-eye sighting.