Satellites Visible from Kolkata
Tonight
Satellite viewing from Kolkata on the night of 23 August 2026 is rated GOOD NIGHT: 2 visible ISS, Tiangong or Hubble passes, the best reaching 52° above the horizon. The best window for satellite spotting over Kolkata on 23 August 2026 is 18:17–19:35 and 03:27–04:45 GMT+5:30, when most satellites are still catching sunlight. Between those windows the sky is dark but the majority sit inside Earth’s shadow. Individual satellites in lower orbits can be visible a little outside these times. The best pass of the night is picked from live orbital data — the one that climbs highest and stays visible longest.
At 9pm local on 23 August 2026 from Kolkata, Saturn is in the east, about 1 fist above the horizon. Planets shine with a steady light, unlike satellites, which cross the sky in a few minutes.
Kolkata (22.6°N) — the ISS can climb high overhead here, giving bright, well-placed passes.
Kolkata, India is perfectly placed for satellite spotting. The ISS, Tiangong, Hubble, and AST BlueBird satellites all pass overhead — OrbitalNodes.ai shows you exactly when and where to look, personalised to your exact location.
Observing notesEvening twilight begins 30 min after sunset, morning 45 min before sunrise. Best viewing away from the city-centre light dome, toward darker outskirts — best October to March, when northern nights are longest.
🛰 SEE SATELLITES OVER KOLKATA NOWWhat Kolkata's latitude means for satellite spotting
Kolkata sits at 22.6°N, and that one number shapes its whole night sky. Your best target is the ISS: at magnitude −4 it outshines the glow, delivering high passes from 23° several nights a week. There’s a second station too: Tiangong’s 41.5° inclination carries it high across your sky, bright enough for the naked eye.
The stations are just the start — the same latitude arranges the rest of the sky. The galactic core reaches a useful height — peaking around 38° toward the south — though from the city its glow is mostly lost to light pollution; an hour out toward darker skies brings it back. You won’t catch the Magellanic Clouds — from this latitude they never clear the horizon. Find Polaris about 23° up in the north to orient yourself. The long nights of autumn and winter offer the steadiest viewing.
Kolkata’s monsoon (June–September) rules evenings out; the cool November–February dry season is when the sky opens properly.
SATELLITE SPOTTING FROM KOLKATA
When can I see the ISS from Kolkata?
The ISS appears during twilight — roughly 30 to 60 minutes after sunset or before sunrise. From Kolkata's latitude of 22.6°N the best passes climb nearly overhead, and the brightest take four to six minutes to cross. Check OrbitalNodes for the exact times and the compass direction to look.
What satellites are visible from Kolkata?
From Kolkata the headline targets are the ISS (magnitude −4, the brightest), Tiangong, the Hubble Space Telescope and the AST BlueBird satellites. Fresh Starlink trains can also put on a show in the days after a launch.
Where is the best place to watch satellites in Kolkata?
The bright stations cut through city glow, but fainter targets reward darker ground. Even 30 to 60 minutes beyond Kolkata's light dome makes a dramatic difference. Polaris and the Big Dipper help you orient.
Can I see satellites from Kolkata city centre?
Yes. At magnitude −4 the ISS punches straight through Kolkata's light pollution and needs no equipment, and Tiangong usually shows from the centre too. Only the fainter satellites really need darker skies.
Does Kolkata's latitude make it good for satellite spotting?
Yes — 22.6°N is a strong latitude, with high, bright ISS passes nearly overhead and access to a wide spread of orbits. Tiangong, China's space station, can also ride high here and is an easy second naked-eye target.
What is the best season for satellite spotting in Kolkata?
October to March is best — the long northern winter nights are cold but crisp and transparent, with December and January at their peak.
Kolkata sits in the Northern Hemisphere — and when EARENDIL-1 launches, its steerable mirror could illuminate targeted cities during passes. Track space-mirror passes on OrbitalSolar.ai →
WHAT'S VISIBLE FROM HERE
From Kolkata (22.57°N) you have access to a wide range of satellites — here's what's visible and what isn't: