Vesper
Tuesday 10 November · Australia

The night sky over Cairns tonight

The brightest “star” over Cairns tonight is not a star at all: it's Venus, low in the sky in the east before dawn. You can also see Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It's dark enough for stars from about 7:15 pm.

7:55 pmFull dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 4:21 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 5:11 am: low in the sky in the east, 2 fists above the horizon.

from 4:21 am until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 1:26 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 4:51 am: about halfway up in the north-east, 5 fists above the horizon.

from 1:26 am until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 3:06 am. Best at 7:36 pm: high up in the north-east, 6 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 3:06 amin Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 1:31 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 4:31 am: about halfway up in the north-east, 4 fists above the horizon.

from 1:31 am until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Rises into view in the north-east around 8:46 pm and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 1:06 am: about halfway up in the north, 5 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

from 8:46 pm until dawnin Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look north-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 2:01 am. Best at 7:46 pm: high up in the north-east, 6 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 2:01 amin Piscestoo faint for the naked eye

Mercury

Not visible

Too close to the Sun to see right now. It is lost in the glare, 12° from the Sun.

Brightest stars this evening

Where to find them at 7:55 pm, once the sky is dark.

  1. AchernarEridanus · about halfway up in the south-east
  2. AltairAquila · about a third of the way up in the north-west
  3. FomalhautPiscis Austrinus · almost straight overhead in the south
  4. DenebCygnus · low in the sky in the north-west
  5. ShaulaScorpius · low in the sky in the south-west
  6. AlnairGrus · high up in the south

Questions about tonight

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

It's most likely the planet Venus. It is low in the sky in the east and visible from 4:21 am until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in Cairns?

Venus (from 4:21 am until dawn), Mars (from 1:31 am until dawn), Jupiter (from 1:26 am until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 3:06 am). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in Cairns tonight?

The Sun sets at 6:26 pm. The brighter stars and planets come out by 6:48 pm, and the sky is properly dark from about 7:15 pm. Full astronomical darkness begins at 7:43 pm.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a Waxing Crescent, 1% illuminated. Moonrise is at 6:36 am and moonset at 7:19 pm.

Calculated for Tuesday 10 November at 16.89°S, 145.76°E. Times are local to Cairns.

Skies nearby