International Space Station sighted over North Rhine-Westphalia

A bright celestial phenomenon observed over North Rhine-Westphalia on Wednesday evening, September 23, was identified as the International Space Station (ISS). The sighting, which prompted questions regarding UFOs, involved a bright point of light moving rapidly from west to southeast.

The ISS, a massive research laboratory orbiting approximately 400 kilometers above Earth, appeared exceptionally luminous because it was reflecting direct sunlight while the ground remained dark. The station travels at speeds of roughly 28,000 km/h, completing an orbit of the Earth every 90 minutes.