A pass prediction calculates when a satellite will be visible from your specific location — its rise time, peak elevation, direction, and brightness. It's the bridge between orbital data and real-world observation.
A pass prediction calculates when a satellite will be visible from your specific location — its rise time, peak elevation, direction, and brightness. It's the bridge between orbital data and real-world observation.
A pass occurs when three conditions align — the satellite, your position, and the sunlight geometry.
Each prediction gives you three key moments: when the satellite rises above your horizon, when it reaches its highest point (best visibility), and when it sets or enters Earth's shadow.
Not all passes are equal — some are bright enough to spot easily, others need binoculars.
A few simple preparations dramatically improve your chances of spotting a satellite.
You've completed the Reading the Globe track — you can now navigate the globe, read data panels, filter objects, control time, and plan observations. Welcome to Orbital Radar.