Vesper
Monday 9 November · United Kingdom

The night sky over London tonight

The brightest “star” over London 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 5:36 pm.

6:16 pmNearly dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Easy to see

Rises into view in the south-east around 5:24 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:29 am: low in the sky in the south-east, one fist above the horizon.

from 5:24 am until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 11:49 pm and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 5:59 am: about halfway up in the south, 5 fists above the horizon.

from 11:49 pm until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 2:44 am. Best at 9:19 pm: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 2:44 amin Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 11:49 pm and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 5:29 am: about halfway up in the south-east, 5 fists above the horizon.

from 11:49 pm until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Mercury

Low on the horizon

Rises into view in the south-east around 6:29 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:29 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 6:29 am until dawnin Virgomodest

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 5:29 am. Best at 11:29 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 5:29 amin Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look south-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 1:09 am. Best at 8:54 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 1:09 amin Piscestoo faint for the naked eye

Brightest stars this evening

Where to find them at 6:16 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 London tonight?

It's most likely the planet Venus. It is low in the sky in the south-east and visible from 5:24 am until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in London?

Mercury (from 6:29 am until dawn), Venus (from 5:24 am until dawn), Mars (from 11:49 pm until dawn), Jupiter (from 11:49 pm until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 2:44 am). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in London tonight?

The Sun sets at 4:19 pm. The brighter stars and planets come out by 4:56 pm, and the sky is properly dark from about 5:36 pm. Full astronomical darkness begins at 6:15 pm.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a New Moon, 0% illuminated. Moonrise is at 8:54 am and moonset at 3:46 pm.

Calculated for Monday 9 November at 51.50°N, 0.12°W. Times are local to London.

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