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'Santa's sleigh' could be seen as the International Space Station will pass over Kent on Christmas Eve

By: Mike Thompsett

Published: 15:00, 01 December 2015

A bright light in the skies of Kent will add to the magic of Christmas, as little ones can try and spot Santa's sleigh.

On Christmas Eve, NASA is encouraging people to look into the sky to see if they can see Saint Nick is on his way, as a sleigh-like light can be spotted travelling overhead.

Shortly after it gets dark on December 24, the International Space Station (ISS) is due to pass over the country in a perfectly timed festive flight.

Paddock Wood and District Lions Club's Santa in his sleigh

The space station is the largest man-made object in the sky and orbits the Earth every 90 minutes at a speed of more than five miles per second.

With an equivalent weight to that of around 320 cars, around 100,000 pounds, it could easily boost the faith of children who want Father Christmas to deliver their gifts on December 25.

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Like a star, the 'microgravity laboratory', which has an international crew of six people at any one time.

ISS reflects the light from the sun, which, weather dependent, could easily be mistaken for a sleigh-like object.

The International Space Station

More precise times will be revealed nearer the big day, however, Virtual Astronomer has predicted that the ISS will travel over the UK between 4.42pm-4.50pm on Christmas Eve - perfect timing for the big man in the red suit.

The next time it will be visible from Maidstone will be on Saturday, December 5, at around 5.59pm, so check the best spot in your gardens in preparation for Christmas Eve.

To find out the next time it will pass over your area, click here.

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