About
Heavens-Above is a long-established, free astronomical data service developed and maintained by Chris Peat of Heavens-Above GmbH. The platform specializes in location-specific satellite visibility predictions, allowing users anywhere in the world to know exactly when and where to look in the sky to spot the International Space Station, Tiangong, Starlink satellites, Hubble Space Telescope, and many others. Beyond satellite tracking, Heavens-Above offers a rich set of astronomy tools including interactive sky charts, solar and lunar data, planet positions, solar system overviews, and tracking for comets and asteroids. Users can explore deep-space missions, spacecraft escaping the solar system, and even the trajectory of Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster. The site supports over 30 languages, making it accessible to a global audience. Data is fully customizable by observing location, so predictions are accurate regardless of where users are based. An Android app extends the experience to mobile devices. Heavens-Above is particularly popular among amateur radio operators (for satellite pass data), stargazers, educators, and space enthusiasts. Its combination of precise orbital calculations, rich historical data, and accessible visualizations makes it an indispensable resource for anyone interested in observing satellites or exploring the night sky.
Key Features
- Location-Specific Satellite Predictions: Generate accurate 10-day pass predictions for the ISS, Starlink, Hubble, Tiangong, and thousands of other satellites based on your precise geographic coordinates.
- Interactive Sky Charts: Visualize the night sky with interactive charts showing stars, planets, constellations, comets, and asteroids as seen from any location on Earth.
- Deep Space & Special Mission Tracking: Follow spacecraft escaping the solar system, deep space missions, and novelty trajectories such as the Tesla Roadster in real time.
- Solar & Lunar Data: Access detailed information on solar eclipses, sun and moon positions, planetary data, and full solar system charts.
- Multi-Language Support: Available in over 30 languages, making accurate astronomical data accessible to a truly global audience.
Use Cases
- Amateur astronomers planning when and where to observe satellite passes, the ISS, or Starlink trains from their backyard.
- Educators using interactive sky charts and real-time orbital data to teach students about space, the solar system, and satellite mechanics.
- Amateur radio operators identifying pass windows for amateur radio satellites to plan communication sessions.
- Space enthusiasts tracking newly launched missions like Starlink groups, Ariane 6, or novelty objects like the Tesla Roadster.
- Photographers and videographers timing ISS or satellite transits across the sun or moon for astrophotography sessions.
Pros
- Completely Free: All features are available at no cost, with no account required for basic use, making it accessible to everyone.
- Highly Accurate & Location-Aware: Predictions are calculated using precise orbital mechanics for any user-defined location, ensuring reliable satellite visibility times.
- Comprehensive Astronomy Coverage: Goes well beyond satellite tracking to cover the full range of observable astronomy, from planets and eclipses to comets and deep-space probes.
- Global Language Support: Over 30 languages supported, enabling users worldwide to access sky data in their native language.
Cons
- Dated User Interface: The website's design is functional but visually outdated compared to modern astronomy apps, which may deter casual users.
- Limited Mobile Experience: The Android app provides some functionality, but there is no dedicated iOS app, limiting reach among Apple device users.
- Not AI-Powered: The platform relies on orbital data and calculations rather than AI or machine learning, so it lacks features like natural language querying or smart recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heavens-Above free to use?
Yes, Heavens-Above is entirely free. No subscription or account is required to access satellite predictions, sky charts, or other astronomical data.
How do I get satellite predictions for my location?
You can set your observing location by entering your city name or geographic coordinates via the 'Change your observing location' option. All predictions and charts will then be customized for that location.
Can I track Starlink satellites with Heavens-Above?
Yes. Heavens-Above provides pass predictions for all Starlink launches, including dynamic 3D orbit displays and per-object pass times for every satellite in a given launch batch.
Is there a mobile app available?
Heavens-Above offers an official Android app available for download. There is no official iOS app at this time.
What kinds of objects can I track besides the ISS?
You can track a wide variety of objects including Tiangong, Hubble Space Telescope, Starlink, ACS3 Solar Sail, BlueWalker 3, amateur radio satellites, comets, asteroids, planets, and even deep space probes like Voyager.
