Vesper
Monday 9 November · United Kingdom

The night sky over Cardiff tonight

The brightest “star” over Cardiff 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 5:48 pm.

6:28 pmNearly dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Easy to see

Rises into view in the south-east around 5:37 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:42 am: low in the sky in the south-east, one fist above the horizon.

from 5:37 am until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 12:02 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:12 am: about halfway up in the south, 5 fists above the horizon.

from 12:02 am until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 2:57 am. Best at 9:32 pm: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 2:57 amin Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 12:02 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 5:42 am: about halfway up in the south-east, 5 fists above the horizon.

from 12:02 am until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Mercury

Low on the horizon

Rises into view in the south-east around 6:42 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:42 am: 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 6:42 am until dawnin Virgomodest

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 5:42 am. Best at 11:42 pm: 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 5:42 amin Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look south-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 1:22 am. Best at 9:07 pm: about a third of the way up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 1:22 amin Piscestoo faint for the naked eye

Brightest stars this evening

Where to find them at 6:28 pm, 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 south-west
  5. AliothUrsa Major · about a third of the way up 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 Cardiff tonight?

It's most likely the planet Venus. It is low in the sky in the south-east and visible from 5:37 am until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in Cardiff?

Mercury (from 6:42 am until dawn), Venus (from 5:37 am until dawn), Mars (from 12:02 am until dawn), Jupiter (from 12:02 am until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 2:57 am). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in Cardiff tonight?

The Sun sets at 4:32 pm. The brighter stars and planets come out by 5:08 pm, and the sky is properly dark from about 5:48 pm. Full astronomical darkness begins at 6:27 pm.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a New Moon, 0% illuminated. Moonrise is at 9:07 am and moonset at 3:58 pm.

Calculated for Monday 9 November at 51.50°N, 3.23°W. Times are local to Cardiff.

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