How to Capture the International Space Station (ISS) in front of the Moon 🌕🛰️

There’s something exhilarating about witnessing the International Space Station (ISS) dart across the face of the Moon. These transits last barely a fraction of a second, but with the right preparation, they can be captured in stunning detail. On March 10th, 2025, I took on the challenge of photographing an ISS lunar transit using not just one, but three telescopes simultaneously. The transit was right above my house, so I did not need to transport my gear, which was very convenient. This is how I did the capture.

Planning the Shot

ISS transits are rare and highly location-specific, so planning is crucial. I used transit prediction tools like ISS Transit Finder to determine the exact time and location where the ISS would cross the Moon from my vantage point. Given how fast the ISS moves—about 17,150 mph (27,600 km/h)—the margin for error was nearly nonexistent.

To my amazing luck, this time, the ISS transit was going right above my house. Generally, all the transits I captured in the past had to be done at a remote location, which requires me to transport a lot of heavy gear. This time, it was not needed! I set up all three telescopes in my backyard. The timing had to be precise, as the entire event would be over in less than a second. I ensured all my telescopes are pointed at the Moon and I started video recording a minute or two before the transit. To predict the ISS lunar transit, I used a website that predicts these transits, this website is the ISS Transit Finder.

The Equipment Setup

For this capture, I used three different telescopes, each with a specific purpose:

1. Telescope #1 – A 5” triplet refractor with a DSLR camera. This helped me capture the entire Moon disc during the transit. To capture the entire Moon and the ISS crossing it in a single frame. I captured a 4k video from this setup at 30 fps.

2. Telescope #2 – an 8” refractor telescope with a DSLR camera and a 2x barlow lens. This allowed me to capture a close up of the transit with more details of the ISS. I captured a 8k video from this setup at 30 fps.

3. Telescope #3 – a 16” dobsonian telescope with a planetary camera to capture the event with maximum contrast and sharpness, highlighting the silhouette of the ISS against the Moon. I captured a 4k video from this setup at 20 fps.

The Execution

On the night of the transit, I triple-checked my alignment and synchronized my cameras. As the predicted time approached, I started recording on all three setups simultaneously. When the moment came, the ISS zipped across the Moon in less than 0.5 seconds—a blink-and-you-miss-it event. But thanks to careful planning and high-speed recording, I successfully captured the entire sequence.

Post-Processing the Images

After capturing thousands of frames, I meticulously reviewed and selected the best ones. Using software like AutoStakkert and Photoshop, I stacked and enhanced the images to bring out the finest details of both the Moon’s surface and the ISS. Each telescope provided a unique perspective, allowing me to create a composite that showcased the transit in different levels of detail.

The Final Result

The final images and video were breathtaking. The DSLR camera and Telescope #2 showed the full context of the transit, while Telescope #3 revealed intricate details of the ISS’s solar panels and structure silhouetted against the Moon. The blend of multiple exposures with the blended silhouette of the ISS yielded the image you see here. Notice that the ISS passed right above the Sea of Tranquility! The region where the first man landed on the Moon.

Conclusion

Capturing an ISS lunar transit with three telescopes was a technical challenge, but the results were well worth it. This experience reinforced my love for astrophotography—where science, art, and patience come together to create something truly spectacular.

Would you try capturing an ISS transit? Let me know your thoughts, and clear skies!

Yours sincerely,

Rami