| Night Time: | 10 hours, 46 minutes |
|---|---|
| Sunset: | Oct 20 at 7:32 pm |
| End of Twilight*: | Oct 20 at 8:31 pm |
| Start of Twilight*: | Oct 21 at 5:20 am |
| Sunrise: | Oct 21 at 6:19 am |
Two Comets in October?
- Around mid-October, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) may be visible after sunset. Show Tsuchinshan-ATLAS on our Night Sky Map (below).
- There were hopes that C/2024 S1 (ATLAS)—a Kreutz sungrazer—might become bright toward the end of October. However, the latest indications are discouraging. Show C/2024 S1 on our Night Sky Map (below).
Our Interactive Night Sky Map simulates the sky above Big Dipper. The Moon and planets have been enlarged slightly for clarity. On mobile devices, tap to steer the map by pointing your device at the sky. Need some help?
Currently showing previous night. For planet visibility in the coming night, please check again after 12 noon.
Tonight's Sky in Big Dipper, Oct 20 – Oct 21, 2024
Mercury rise and set in Big Dipper
Fairly close to the Sun. Visible only after sunset.
Mercury is just 13 degrees from the Sun in the sky, so it is difficult to see.
Sun, Oct 20 ↓8:36 pm
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Venus rise and set in Big Dipper
View after sunset.
Venus can best be seen in the hours just after sunset. Visibility improves as the sunlight fades. Venus is visible by day, but may be hard to find.
Sun, Oct 20 ↓10:31 pm
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Mars rise and set in Big Dipper
View before sunrise.
Mars can best be seen in the hours just before sunrise. Visibility deteriorates as the sky gets brighter.
Mon, Oct 21 ↑2:07 am
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Jupiter rise and set in Big Dipper
View in the early morning.
Jupiter can be seen for more than 6 hours during the late night/early morning and until sunrise.
Sun, Oct 20 ↑11:44 pm
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Saturn rise and set in Big Dipper
View after sunset.
Saturn can be seen for more than 9 hours after sunset and during the late evening/early night.
Mon, Oct 21 ↓4:43 am
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Uranus rise and set in Big Dipper
Most of the night until sunrise. Bring binoculars.
Uranus is visible during most of the night, but it is best viewed in the early morning hours and until sunrise. You may need binoculars.
Sun, Oct 20 ↑9:47 pm
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Neptune rise and set in Big Dipper
After sunset and most of the night. Use binoculars.
Neptune is visible during most of the night, but it is best viewed in the late evening hours after sunset. Very faint, use binoculars.
Mon, Oct 21 ↓5:15 am
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Planets Visible in Big Dipper
| Planetrise/Planetset, Mon, Oct 21, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planet | Rise | Set | Meridian | Comment |
| Mercury | Sun 6:52 am | Sun 8:36 pm | Sun 1:44 pm | Difficult to see |
| Venus | Sun 8:03 am | Sun 10:31 pm | Sun 3:17 pm | Good visibility |
| Mars | Mon 2:07 am | Mon 11:49 am | Mon 6:58 am | Average visibility |
| Jupiter | Sun 11:44 pm | Mon 9:24 am | Mon 4:34 am | Perfect visibility |
| Saturn | Sun 3:47 pm | Mon 4:43 am | Sun 10:15 pm | Perfect visibility |
| Uranus | Sun 9:47 pm | Mon 7:51 am | Mon 2:49 am | Average visibility |
| Neptune | Sun 4:59 pm | Mon 5:15 am | Sun 11:07 pm | Difficult to see |
