Vesper
Monday 9 November · Illinois, United States

The night sky over Joliet tonight

The brightest “star” over Joliet 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 5:40 pm.

6:20 pmFull dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 4:53 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:03 am: low in the sky in the south-east, one fist above the horizon.

from 4:53 am until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 11:58 pm and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 4:48 am: high up in the south-east, 6 fists above the horizon.

from 11:58 pm until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 2:38 am. Best at 9:13 pm: about halfway up in the south, 5 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 2:38 amin Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 11:58 pm and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 4:33 am: high up in the south-east, 6 fists above the horizon.

from 11:58 pm until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Mercury

Low on the horizon

Rises into view in the east around 5:58 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 5:58 am: very low, just above the horizon in the east, one fist above the horizon. It stays low, so you need an open view with no buildings or trees in the way.

from 5:58 am until dawnin Virgomodest

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 5:13 am. Best at 10:33 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 5:13 amin Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look south-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 1:18 am. Best at 8:43 pm: 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 1:18 amin Piscestoo faint for the naked eye

Brightest stars this evening

Where to find them at 6:20 pm, once the sky is dark.

  1. VegaLyra · about halfway up in the west
  2. CapellaAuriga · low in the sky in the north-east
  3. AltairAquila · about halfway up in the south-west
  4. FomalhautPiscis Austrinus · low in the sky in the south
  5. DenebCygnus · almost straight overhead in the north-west
  6. AliothUrsa Major · low in the sky in the north-west

Questions about tonight

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

It's most likely the planet Venus. It is low in the sky in the south-east and visible from 4:53 am until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in Joliet?

Mercury (from 5:58 am until dawn), Venus (from 4:53 am until dawn), Mars (from 11:58 pm until dawn), Jupiter (from 11:58 pm until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 2:38 am). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in Joliet tonight?

The Sun sets at 4:38 pm. The brighter stars and planets come out by 5:07 pm, and the sky is properly dark from about 5:40 pm. Full astronomical darkness begins at 6:13 pm.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a Waxing Crescent, 1% illuminated. Moonrise is at 8:13 am and moonset at 4:27 pm.

Calculated for Monday 9 November at 41.53°N, 88.11°W. Times are local to Joliet.

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