🛰️ International Space Station over Denmark
When the ISS flies over Denmark, how to spot it, and why it shines so brightly
📍 Want the live pass times for your city — including the station's current position and next visible flyovers? Use our Danish live page (ISS). The content below explains the basics.
What is the ISS?
The International Space Station is the largest object humans have ever put into orbit — about the size of a football field, with room for crews of up to seven. It circles the Earth at roughly 400 kilometres altitude at a speed of about 28,000 km/h, which means it goes around the planet about once every 90 minutes.
Why is it so bright?
You are not seeing the ISS's own lights, but sunlight hitting the station's large solar panels and reflecting down towards you. That is why it can become brighter than any star in the sky. It is easiest to see just after sunset and before sunrise — in the middle of the night it lies in Earth's shadow and is invisible.
A typical pass lasts 5-6 minutes. The ISS moves like a bright, steady "star" from west to east without blinking — if it blinks, it is an aeroplane. The best tip: find a dark spot with a clear view of the horizon and follow it with the naked eye; it crosses the whole sky surprisingly fast.
Frequently asked questions
When does the ISS fly over Denmark?▾
The ISS circles the Earth roughly every 90 minutes, but it is only visible when it passes over your area during the bright hours just after sunset or before sunrise. Pass times vary slightly from city to city — check the live page for the next visible flyovers above your city.
How do I spot the ISS in the sky?▾
The ISS looks like a very bright, steady star gliding from west to east without blinking. Aeroplanes blink and are often fainter. Find a spot with a clear horizon, look up at the given time — a pass lasts 5-6 minutes.
How fast does the ISS travel?▾
The ISS circles the Earth at about 400 kilometres altitude at a speed of roughly 28,000 km/h — about 7.7 km per second. That is why a full pass across the sky takes only a few minutes.
Can you see the ISS from every city in Denmark?▾
Yes. Pass times apply to the whole of Denmark with a difference of a few minutes from city to city. Choose your city on the live page to see the next visible passes — the darker your observing spot, the better.
Why is the ISS so bright?▾
You are seeing sunlight reflecting off the station's large solar panels down towards you. That is why the ISS can be brighter than any star. In the middle of the night it is in Earth's shadow and invisible — it is only seen in twilight.