Where Should I Look for a Satellite Tonight? Azimuth & Elevation Explained

If you are trying to work out where to look for satellite tonight, a tracker may tell you that a pass begins at azimuth 245° and reaches 38° elevation. Those numbers are precise, but they are not useful until you can translate them into a direction in the real sky. Azimuth tells you where to turn around the horizon; elevation tells you how high to look.

Azimuth: which direction should you face?

Azimuth is measured clockwise from north. The four main reference points are simple: 0° = north, 90° = east, 180° = south and 270° = west. Values between them describe intermediate directions. For example, 225° points southwest, while 315° points northwest.

Elevation: how high above the horizon?

Elevation is measured upward from the horizon. 0° is directly on the horizon, 45° is halfway between the horizon and straight overhead, and 90° is directly overhead. A satellite at 15° elevation will appear relatively low; one at 70° will be high in the sky.

How to use both numbers together

Suppose your tracker says the satellite appears at azimuth 250° and reaches a maximum elevation of 52°. Face roughly west-southwest for the beginning of the pass, then follow the object upward as it moves. The azimuth changes continuously during the pass, so treat the initial value as a starting direction, not a fixed point.

Use your phone compass carefully

A phone compass can help with azimuth, but nearby metal, vehicles and electronics can disturb the reading. If the direction seems obviously wrong, step away from large metal objects and recalibrate the compass. Once you know the broad direction, your eyes are often better than obsessing over a one-degree compass difference.

Why low elevations are harder

Near the horizon you look through more atmosphere and are more likely to encounter buildings, trees, terrain and haze. This is why two passes of the same satellite can feel very different. A higher maximum elevation usually gives you a cleaner observing geometry.

Apply this to a real pass tonight

Open a tracker such as the ISS tracker or Starlink tracker, set your location and choose the next useful pass. Note the appearance azimuth and maximum elevation. Go outside early, face the expected direction and scan a broad area rather than staring at one exact point.

Frequently asked questions

What direction is 270 degrees azimuth?

West.

What direction is 180 degrees azimuth?

South.

Is 90 degrees elevation directly overhead?

Yes. 90° elevation is the zenith, the point directly above you.

What is a good elevation for satellite viewing?

There is no strict cutoff, but higher passes generally reduce obstruction and haze problems. Even a lower pass can still be visible if the horizon is clear and the object is bright.