Vesper
Monday 9 November · Switzerland

The night sky over Basel tonight

The brightest “star” over Basel tonight is not a star at all: it's Venus, low in the sky in the south-east before dawn. You can also see Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It's dark enough for stars from about 18:10.

18:50Full dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 05:45 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 06:50: low in the sky in the south-east, one fist above the horizon.

from 05:45 until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 00:30 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 06:20: high up in the south, 6 fists above the horizon.

from 00:30 until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 03:15. Best at 21:50: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 03:15in Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 00:25 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 05:50: high up in the south-east, 6 fists above the horizon.

from 00:25 until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Mercury

Low on the horizon

Rises into view in the south-east around 06:50 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 06:50: very low, just above the horizon in the south-east, one fist above the horizon. It stays low, so you need an open view with no buildings or trees in the way.

from 06:50 until dawnin Virgomodest

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 05:50. Best at 23:30: high up in the south-east, 6 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 05:50in Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look south-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 01:45. Best at 21:20: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 01:45in Piscestoo faint for the naked eye

Brightest stars this evening

Where to find them at 18:50, once the sky is dark.

  1. VegaLyra · high up in the west
  2. CapellaAuriga · low in the sky in the north-east
  3. AltairAquila · about halfway up in the south-west
  4. DenebCygnus · almost straight overhead in the west
  5. AliothUrsa Major · low in the sky in the north-west
  6. MirfakPerseus · about a third of the way up in the north-east

Questions about tonight

What is the bright star in the sky over Basel tonight?

It's most likely the planet Venus. It is low in the sky in the south-east and visible from 05:45 until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in Basel?

Mercury (from 06:50 until dawn), Venus (from 05:45 until dawn), Mars (from 00:25 until dawn), Jupiter (from 00:30 until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 03:15). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in Basel tonight?

The Sun sets at 17:00. The brighter stars and planets come out by 17:33, and the sky is properly dark from about 18:10. Full astronomical darkness begins at 18:46.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a New Moon, 0% illuminated. Moonrise is at 09:00 and moonset at 16:33.

Calculated for Monday 9 November at 47.58°N, 7.59°E. Times are local to Basel.

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