Clear View Of International Space Station Tonight In DC, Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, VA—As the International Space Station orbits the Earth, it is visible to the naked eye during certain times of the day around DC and Virginia. But Wednesday is a special occasion, because the conditions will make for an ideal viewing.

In the District of Columbia, it's visible for about four minutes around 5:34 p.m, according to NASA. Viewers can look for it 36 degrees southwest until it disappears 13 degrees northeast. NASA recommends using a compass to help determine the correct direction. At the peak, it will appear 85 degrees above the horizon.

Wednesday is an ideal viewing time because the space station will be high in the sky and illuminated by the setting sun, NASA spokesperson Stephanie Schierholz told NBC Washington. The sunset in DC will be at 4:46 p.m., allowing for the space station to be more visible against a darkening sky. Other times, buildings can block the view of the space station, which often hangs low over the horizon.

If you miss Wednesday's gig, don't fret. Viewing will be almost as opportune Friday, Dec. 1, when it's visible for four minutes at 5:26 p.m and Sunday, Dec. 3 for five minutes at 5:18 p.m.

As the largest human-made object in low Earth orbit, the space station is often compared to the size of a football field and can be seen without a telescope. NASA regularly calculates opportunities to view the International Space Station for over 6,700 locations worldwide. Sightings usually occur within a few hours of sunset or sunrise.

To see the exact viewing times for your town, see NASA's tracking tool. Plus, follow NASA's six astronauts on Twitter @NASA_Astronauts for stunning images from space.

Watch Now: Clear View Of International Space Station Tonight

Image via NASA