Auckland man captures rare moment International Space Station passes across sun

An Auckland man has managed to capture a rare sight on video: the International Space Station (ISS) crossing between Earth and the sun.

Astrophotographer Josh Kirkley managed to take the video by using his camera attached to a Celestron Nexstar 6SE telescope from his Royal Oak garden just before 6pm on Wednesday.

Mr Kirkley said the fact he managed to spot the transit was all down to luck.

"It's captured, from what I can find online, only a few times a year by anyone," he told Newshub.

"You have to be in the right place at the right time, and with a bit of luck weather-wise. I've attempted this many times before but have been clouded out."

NASA posted an image of the transit to their Instagram on October 11, which Mr Kirkley said proves how rare it is to spot it.

"The pass is only visible from small strips of land that are usually only a few kilometres wide," he said.

"Yesterday's transit was visible to me here at my home in Royal Oak, but it would not be visible to anyone in Auckland who was in the North Shore or Māngere, for example, due to their point of view differing from mine.

"Your position to the object being transited and the space station need to align perfectly."

Newshub.