Satellites Visible from Surabaya
Tonight
Satellite viewing from Surabaya on the night of 23 August 2026 is rated FAIR NIGHT: 2 visible ISS, Tiangong or Hubble passes, the best reaching 19° above the horizon. The best window for satellite spotting over Surabaya on 23 August 2026 is 03:55–05:04 and 17:42–19:20 GMT+7, 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 Surabaya, 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.
Surabaya (7.3°S) — this close to the equator, passes sweep the whole sky and twilight is brief, so satellites appear soon after dark.
Surabaya, Indonesia 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 in the local dry season for the clearest skies.
🛰 SEE SATELLITES OVER SURABAYA NOWWhat Surabaya's latitude means for satellite spotting
At 7.2°S, the sky over Surabaya has a geometry all its own. Start with the ISS — bright enough at magnitude −4 to punch through city skyglow, and from 7° it climbs to high passes 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.
Beyond the bright stations, your latitude sets what else is up there. The Milky Way's core climbs high — culminating about 68° up toward the south — though from the city its glow is mostly lost to light pollution; an hour out toward darker skies brings it back. The Magellanic Clouds only skim your northern horizon, and city glow makes them a dark-site target. Polaris never rises; the Southern Cross and the unmarked south pole, about 7° up, are your guides. The clearest, longest nights here fall through the austral winter, May to August.
Surabaya sits drier than western Java — the May–October dry season is long and dependable, the standout viewing stretch.
SATELLITE SPOTTING FROM SURABAYA
When can I see the ISS from Surabaya?
The ISS appears during twilight — roughly 30 to 60 minutes after sunset or before sunrise. From Surabaya's latitude of 7.2°S 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 Surabaya?
From Surabaya 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 Surabaya?
The bright stations cut through city glow, but fainter targets reward darker ground. Even 30 to 60 minutes beyond Surabaya's light dome makes a dramatic difference. The Southern Cross and the southern sky help you orient.
Can I see satellites from Surabaya city centre?
Yes. At magnitude −4 the ISS punches straight through Surabaya's light pollution and needs no equipment, and Tiangong usually shows from the centre too. Only the fainter satellites really need darker skies.
Does Surabaya's latitude make it good for satellite spotting?
Yes — 7.2°S 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 Surabaya?
Satellite spotting holds up year-round here; the clearest skies come in the local dry season when humidity and cloud drop.
Surabaya sits in the Southern 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 Surabaya (7.25°S) you have access to a wide range of satellites — here's what's visible and what isn't: