SANTA Claus is coming to town tonight...sort of.

Many families have previously enjoyed looking out for the International Space Station (ISS) on Christmas Eve and telling their children it was Father Christmas on his sleigh.

This year the flypast is much earlier so you could tell your little ones it's Father Christmas on a practice run before the big night.

The International Space Station is the largest space station laboratory ever built and orbits the earth at 17,500mph.

Flying at an altitude of roughly 200 miles, as it reflects light from the Sun it looks like a bright light (or indeed, Santa's sleigh) as it cruises past.

When and where do I need to look?

You can spot him tonight, Thursday, at 5.04pm but you'll have to be quick.

Look to the west to spot the bright light before it passes back into Earth's shadow at 5.09pm. 

It will be brightest at 5.06pm.

The forecast for this evening is for patchy cloud so with a bit of luck you'll be able to see him.

Are there any other chances to spot Father Christmas in the sky?

If you miss out this evening, you can try again on Christmas Eve.

If your little ones are up early, look up at the sky in a south-south west direction to see if you can spot him at 7.30am.

Lancashire Telegraph:

For more details, visit spotthestation.nasa.gov