Recent flyovers by the International Space Station have captured some stunning images of Chicago, as seen from 250 miles above.

One video, taken Jan. 15, shows a familiar side of the metropolis: the city aglow at night like a beacon. A week later, the station finds Chicago sporting a completely different look: blanketed in snow, like a stand-in for the Arctic.

The space station circles Earth every 90 minutes, traveling at 17,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. While it’s looking at us, we can see it too, if the conditions are right.

The station itself is visible thanks to an acre’s worth of solar panels that reflect light from the sun. When the timing of its orbit brings the station over the city at dawn or dusk, there’s a chance to catch it streaking across the sky. In the coming weeks, there will be a number of prime viewing opportunities, no special equipment required.

NASA’s Spot the Station provides the date, time and position in the sky to look for the station. According to the space agency, the station is the third brightest object in the sky, and looks like a fast-moving plane, only much higher.

Hey @Chicago! It looks like it is a little chilly down there. This view of you all was captured live from the @Space_Station 260 miles above at 4:40PM CST today!

Is there some ice building up over the lake?@NWSChicago @ABC7Chicago @WGNNews @nbcchicago @fox32news
(Jan 23, 2022) pic.twitter.com/I74aa8tKgY

— ISS Above (@ISSAboveYou) January 24, 2022

Note: This story was originally published Jan. 24. It has been updated to include our “Chicago Tonight” conversation. 

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]