Monday 9 November · Alaska, United States

The night sky over Fairbanks tonight

The brightest “star” over Fairbanks tonight is not a star at all: it's Jupiter, about halfway up in the south before dawn. You can also see Venus, Mars and Saturn. It's dark enough for stars from about 6:01 pm.

6:41 pmNearly dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Low on the horizon

Rises into view in the south-east around 7:06 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 8:06 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 7:06 am until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the north-east around 12:01 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 7:21 am: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon.

from 12:01 am until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 3:16 am. Best at 10:11 pm: about a third of the way up in the south, 3 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 3:16 amin Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the north-east around 12:01 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:31 am: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon.

from 12:01 am until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 6:31 am. Best at 1:41 am: about halfway up in the south, 5 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 6:31 amin Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look south-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 1:01 am. Best at 9:41 pm: about a third of the way up in the south, 2 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 1:01 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 6:41 pm, once the sky is dark.

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

Questions about tonight

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

It's most likely the planet Jupiter. It is about halfway up in the south and visible from 12:01 am until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in Fairbanks?

Venus (from 7:06 am until dawn), Mars (from 12:01 am until dawn), Jupiter (from 12:01 am until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 3:16 am). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in Fairbanks tonight?

The Sun sets at 4:01 pm. The brighter stars and planets come out by 5:00 pm, and the sky is properly dark from about 6:01 pm. Full astronomical darkness begins at 6:58 pm.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a Waxing Crescent, 1% illuminated. It doesn't rise tonight and moonset at 2:14 pm.

Calculated for Monday 9 November at 64.84°N, 147.71°W. Times are local to Fairbanks.

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