Forecasters predict partly cloudy skies for tonight's flyover by the International Space Station. But maybe we'll get lucky.
The giant tinkertoy is making an early evening appearance in dusky skies just northwest of Baltimore. Look for a bright, steady, star-like object rising above the western horizon at 5:03 p.m. EST as it tracks northeastward along the Appalachian mountain chain. If it blinks, or has colored lights, it's an airplane. Keep looking.
The ISS will climb more than halfway - 56 degrees - above the northwest horizon by 5:06 p.m., then slide off to the northeast, disappearing into the Earth's shadow at 5:10 p.m.
There are currently six people aboard the station, five men and one woman. There are two Russians, two Americans (including the lone female), a Latvian and an Italian. The station is larger than a five-bedroom house, and weighs more than 816,000 pounds. It is orbiting about 218 miles above the Earth, at a speed of about 17,500 mph.
As always, after you've dragged the kids and the neighbors out to watch, stop back here and leave a comment. Share the experience.