Vesper
Monday 9 November · South Africa

The night sky over Pretoria tonight

The brightest “star” over Pretoria tonight is not a star at all: it's Venus, low in the sky in the east before dawn. You can also see Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It's dark enough for stars from about 19:22.

20:02Full dark

When to look

Planets tonight

Venus

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 04:03 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 04:48: low in the sky in the east, one fist above the horizon.

from 04:03 until dawnin Virgodazzling

Jupiter

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 01:28 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 04:28: about halfway up in the north-east, 4 fists above the horizon.

from 01:28 until dawnin Leobrilliant

Saturn

Easy to see

Look north-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 02:53. Best at 19:58: high up in the north-east, 6 fists above the horizon.

after sunset until 02:53in Cetusan obvious bright point

Mars

Easy to see

Rises into view in the east around 01:33 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 04:03: about a third of the way up in the north-east, 3 fists above the horizon.

from 01:33 until dawnin Leoan obvious bright point

Uranus

Needs binoculars

Rises into view in the north-east around 20:58 and stays until dawn washes it out. Best at 00:58: about halfway up in the north, 4 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

from 20:58 until dawnin Taurustoo faint for the naked eye

Neptune

Needs binoculars

Look north-east as the sky darkens. Visible until 01:53. Best at 19:58: high up in the north-east, 6 fists above the horizon. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope and a dark sky.

after sunset until 01:53in Piscestoo faint for the naked eye

Mercury

Not visible

Too close to the Sun to see right now. It is lost in the glare, 11° from the Sun.

Brightest stars this evening

Where to find them at 20:02, once the sky is dark.

  1. AchernarEridanus · about halfway up in the south-east
  2. AltairAquila · about a third of the way up in the north-west
  3. FomalhautPiscis Austrinus · almost straight overhead in the south-west
  4. ShaulaScorpius · low in the sky in the south-west
  5. AlnairGrus · high up in the south-west
  6. Kaus AustralisSagittarius · about a third of the way up in the south-west

Questions about tonight

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

It's most likely the planet Venus. It is low in the sky in the east and visible from 04:03 until dawn. Planets shine with a steady light, while stars twinkle.

Which planets are visible tonight in Pretoria?

Venus (from 04:03 until dawn), Mars (from 01:33 until dawn), Jupiter (from 01:28 until dawn) and Saturn (after sunset until 02:53). With binoculars or a telescope you can also find Uranus and Neptune.

What time does it get dark in Pretoria tonight?

The Sun sets at 18:28. The brighter stars and planets come out by 18:53, and the sky is properly dark from about 19:22. Full astronomical darkness begins at 19:52.

What phase is the Moon tonight?

The Moon is a New Moon, 0% illuminated. Moonrise is at 05:35 and moonset at 18:50.

Calculated for Monday 9 November at 25.71°S, 28.23°E. Times are local to Pretoria.

Skies nearby