The Hubble Space Telescope drifts through space in a picture taken from the Space Shuttle Discovery during Hubble's second servicing mission in 1997. Photo: NASA via Getty Images
Starting Tuesday, the Hubble Space Telescope will pass almost directly over St. Petersburg several nights this week.
What to look for: Heavens Above, a nonprofit satellite prediction site, says the HST will look like a bright star slowly moving from west to east.
- Wednesday or Thursday will likely be the best chance at a clear sky for viewing, St. Petersburg College Planetarium director Craig Joseph told Axios.
When to keep an eye out:
- Tuesday, 9:30pm: The HST will reach its highest point in the southern sky, passing the star Regulus in the constellation Leo before disappearing into the Earth’s shadow.
- Wednesday, 9:19pm : HST will squeak past the Moon before disappearing in the eastern sky as it approaches the bright star Arcturus.
- Thursday, 9:08pm: After passing overhead, it will disappear low in the eastern sky as it passes Arcturus.
- Friday, 8:57pm: It will pass very close to Arcturus before disappearing.
Pro tip to make sure you catch a glimpse, via Heavens Above: Start looking toward the western sky a couple minutes before the predicted times.
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