Catch ISS spacecraft's fly-by Saturn on Thursday from Singapore

SINGAPORE - Last week, US astronaut Tim Kopra from the International Space Station (ISS) took a stunning photo of Singapore from space. Soon, you will be able to take a photo of the spacecraft that Kopra is on as it whizzes past a planet that will be visible from Singapore. 

But, you will have to be early!

The ISS, which orbits close to Earth, will make a fly-by Saturn between 6.24am and 6.30am on Thursday (March 31), Today reported.

While fly-bys of satellites are not rare, it is a unique sight to catch it go past a planet, according to Mr Gary Chee, co-founder of local astronomy group Singapore Sidewalk Astronomy.

Here's how you can spot the ISS and Saturn:

1) Look up in the sky on Thursday morning.

2) You can see it from anywhere that offers an unobstructed view of the sky, according to Mr Chee, as both Saturn and ISS will be high up in the sky. The ISS will also apparently be bright enough to be photographed with a mobile phone. 

3) As for Saturn, use the moon as reference. You're looking for a bright yellow dot to the right of the moon, says Mr Chee.

maryanns@sph.com.sg