Vesper
Monday 9 November · United Kingdom

The night sky over Portsmouth tonight

The brightest “star” over Portsmouth 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 5:41 pm.

6:21 pmNearly dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 5:26 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:31 am: low in the sky in the south-east, one fist above the horizon.

from 5:26 am until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 11:56 pm and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:06 am: about halfway up in the south, 5 fists above the horizon.

from 11:56 pm until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 2:51 am. Best at 9:26 pm: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 2:51 amin Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 11:56 pm and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 5:31 am: about halfway up in the south-east, 5 fists above the horizon.

from 11:56 pm until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Mercury

Low on the horizon

Rises into view in the south-east around 6:36 am and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 6:36 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 6:36 am until dawnin Virgomodest

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Look east as the sky darkens. Visible until 5:31 am. Best at 11:26 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 5:31 amin Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look south-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 1:16 am. Best at 8:56 pm: about halfway up in the south, 4 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 1:16 amin Piscestoo faint for the naked eye

Brightest stars this evening

Where to find them at 6:21 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 Portsmouth tonight?

It's most likely the planet Venus. It is low in the sky in the south-east and visible from 5:26 am until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in Portsmouth?

Mercury (from 6:36 am until dawn), Venus (from 5:26 am until dawn), Mars (from 11:56 pm until dawn), Jupiter (from 11:56 pm until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 2:51 am). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in Portsmouth tonight?

The Sun sets at 4:26 pm. The brighter stars and planets come out by 5:01 pm, and the sky is properly dark from about 5:41 pm. Full astronomical darkness begins at 6:19 pm.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a New Moon, 0% illuminated. Moonrise is at 8:54 am and moonset at 3:53 pm.

Calculated for Monday 9 November at 50.80°N, 1.08°W. Times are local to Portsmouth.

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