So how's your view of the southwestern sky? If you can get a clear view in that direction early this evening, you can look forward to a very nice flyby by the International Space Station as it passes over the eastern U.S. from high over Chicago to the South Carolina coast.

This pass is lower - closer to the horizon as seen from Baltimore - than those I usually mention here. It can be hard for some people to get a clear view past trees and buildings when the flyovers are less than 45 degrees above the horizon. And the lighting geometry can make these passes dimmer, and harder to see.

But this one caught my eye for several reasons: It is an early-evening pass, when many Marylanders will be able to pause on their way to their cars after work, or step outside to watch before dinner goes on the table. The station will also fly very close to brilliant Venus from our perspective (the red dot at left), drawing attention to the planet, which has dominated the evening sky for many weeks.

And, the skies should be clear.  

So, set your cell phone alarms, and look for the station to rise above the western horizon at 5:41 p.m.. It will pass just below Venus, about 37 degrees above the southwestern horizon at around 5:44 p.m. At that point the station will be about 360 miles from Baltimore, traveling at about 17,500 mph.

From there it will slide off toward the southern horizon, disappearing at 5:47 p.m., to the right of the bright winter constellation Orion, rising in the east.  

As always, we urge you to take the kids and let their young eyes help you spot the station. And, drop back here afterwards and share the experience with those who missed it. 

Speaking of the ISS, here's an astonishing photo of the station, snapped from California, just as it was passing in front of the moon.