Video: Hurricane Earl from space

(CNN/NASA TV) - Check out this breathtaking view of Hurricane Earl from the International Space Station. It's quite a storm, covering more area than the state of California.

The National Hurricane Center says it's weakened a bit, from a Category 4 to a Category 3 storm, with winds of 125 miles per hour.

Earl is preparing to take a swipe at the Eastern seaboard Thursday as residents scramble to ready themselves ahead of its arrival.

The storm is forecast to pass close to North Carolina's Outer Banks Thursday night and take aim at southeastern New England Friday night.