we did this last year, but saw a facebook post the other day suggesting that instead of saying that this is santa, why dont we celebrate the fact that for the first time we have a brit on board the iss and tell our kids what the light really is, trying to fuel their interest in science and space. seems a great idea to me.

Where did you go, its always on time, we just step outside a minute before its due, its gone in about 30 seconds and then back indoors

Here's the NASA link with all the times - the link is for Norwich, but you can change it.

http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_Kingdom®ion=England&city=Norwich#.VnGOojbLh9R

Xmas eve will not be a good viewing but there will be other days leading up to that are better

Last year it was great, the station was in sight for about 5 minutes and overhead. This year it's not going to be as good but will be well worth looking out for.

I have an free iOS app called ISS Spotter which might help you find the stations location.

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Here here, cross posted!

So sad to read some of the negative comments on here. Thank you to the deal poster, my children loved this last year and I see absolutely nothing wrong with a little white lie while they are still young enough to believe in the magic of Christmas. That's not to say that they don't know about science and space or that there is a Brit on board the iss. To believe that this reflects the sad state of the world is to me sad in itself.

Good to see Scrooge is not dead! We "do it your way" 364 days o the year - giving little hearts and minds some respite from the "big bad world" 1 day of the year seems the least we should do. Children are not young long. I am frankly staggered you even bother celebrating Christmas.

True, mores the shame.

But it says more about the sad state of the world that we adults still cling child-like to myth instead of trying to get out of the dark ages and give credit where due to the scientific feat of putting the space station up there. No, lets head back a level to mythology. No wonder the planet is doomed with billions believing in gods and adults feeding young minds lies when the truth is more impressive. If people think they need to lie to kids to have a good christmas, I beg to differ on that.

This nonsense again? Tell them exactly what it is instead of fairytales. We have enough fantasy already, rewards from overseers for behaviours. STONE COLD

Thanks OP x

At this rate it will be fully light

that too - full moon christmas night i think i saw so could be even lighter

There are various apps you can install which assuming you have a smartphone with gyroscope inside (pretty much all) you can move your phone around and it shows you exactly where it will appear in the sky or a real time location as it approaches.

I installed this last year on my Android based phone and worked well.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runar.issdetector&hl=en_GB

Not sure of Apple apps though. Anyone help with a link to a decent one?

Not to mention the Moon....

sunset doesn't mean its fully dark and it happens at different times in different places

Why will it not be "fully dark"? The sun is setting at 15:55......... http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london

and last time it was posted about it was a fairly dull one too
...and 'here' its not even going to be fully dark

Apparently there's no sighting on the 24th for the area i'm in. There should be 3 sightings tomorrow and 2 most other days, just none on the 24th

we did this last year, but saw a facebook post the other day suggesting that instead of saying that this is santa, why dont we celebrate the fact that for the first time we have a brit on board the iss and tell our kids what the light really is, trying to fuel their interest in science and space. seems a great idea to me.

That's no Father Christmas

What a nice idea. Will definitely do this.

He's a busy man - he doesn't start his deliveries till 24th but he's making a list and checking it twice so he's just doing his last minute checks - either that or returning from his holibobs!

It will also be passing over the UK twice every evening up until then. So you don't have to wait to see it.

Thats great, who has seennthis before and do you actually see santa in his sleigh. haha only joking but what do you see?

I always forget about this. Thanx OP.

Went last year, the kids wanted to go home because it was literally a fast moving white dot. Freezing at the time, so for us was a waste of time

my kids loved this last year.

it's not the space station....its Santa!!
:smiley:

It better not. I've still not finished watching House of Cards!!

Now, how the heck did I read that as 'it obliterates the earth'? Christmas shopping has definitely picked my brain!

It's a very bright white light travelling a little bit faster than a plane across the sky. It's brighter than the stars and doesn't have flashing red/green lights like an aircraft would have.

Cracking deal! good tip(_;)

Oh, I see what's happened. :-D

Thanks, we did that last year as well

Here's the NASA link with all the times - the link is for Norwich, but you can change it.

http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_Kingdom®ion=England&city=Norwich#.VnGOojbLh9R

I was told its going over at 4.22 & 5.58 today ?