Question 1

What can I see in the sky tonight?

Accepted Answer

On any clear night you can usually see the Moon (unless it's a new moon), one to four naked-eye planets, a handful of the brightest stars and constellations for your latitude and season, and — from dark-sky sites — the Milky Way. During an active meteor shower or a geomagnetic storm you may also see meteors or aurora. This page computes what's actually up right now for your location.

Question 2

What planets are visible tonight?

Accepted Answer

Which planets are visible depends on your date and location. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn are the four naked-eye planets that are frequently visible; Mercury is visible only in brief windows near sunrise or sunset. Enter your city above and the report will list the planets currently above the horizon after dark.

Question 3

Can I see the Northern Lights tonight?

Accepted Answer

Aurora visibility depends on the Kp index and your geomagnetic latitude. At Kp 3, aurora is typically visible only near the Arctic and Antarctic circles. At Kp 5 (a G1 storm), the auroral oval expands south into the northern U.S. and northern Europe. At Kp 7+ it can reach mid-latitudes. The report above compares your latitude to the current auroral boundary in real time.

Question 4

Is there a meteor shower tonight?

Accepted Answer

There are around a dozen major meteor showers each year. The report above shows the next active shower and how many days until its peak. For best viewing, look after midnight from a dark location with the shower's radiant above the horizon.

Question 5

When will the ISS pass over tonight?

Accepted Answer

The International Space Station passes overhead multiple times per day, but only some passes are visible (bright, after dusk or before dawn, and above the horizon). The report above shows the next visible pass time for your location, computed from live NORAD orbital elements.

What Can I See in the Sky Tonight in Athlone, Western Cape, South Africa?

Visible planets tonight

🔭 Tonight's Sky Report

Tonight's sky above Athlone, Western Cape, South Africa

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