Look Up

Bristol, United Kingdom

The sky above Bristol tonight

It is dark in Bristol right now. The next night begins around 5:56 PM. The moon is 48% lit.

What to look for

  • The space station

    Today, 4:43 AM

    It climbs from the west, crosses low, and sets toward the south.

    Space station·Peaks 24° up · 5 min·5 min

    Seven astronauts, four hundred kilometres up, moving at eight kilometres a second. It looks like a bright star that refuses to twinkle, sliding silently across the sky. Start watching low in the west a minute early; it will climb to low in the southwest, then fade out as it enters Earth's shadow near the south. No telescope, no app pointed at the sky, just look up.

  • Jupiter

    Any time it's dark

    Jupiter is out, low in the east. Steady, creamy white, unmistakable.

    Planet·Magnitude -2.0, sets later

    Find Jupiter low in the east. No telescope needed, just your eyes; planets don't twinkle the way stars do, they hold a steady, unwavering light. The light reaching your eye left Jupiter about 46 minutes ago.

  • The moon

    Rises tomorrow, 12:03 AM

    A last quarter, 48% lit.

    Moon·Last quarter, 48%

    It rises later tonight, so the early hours stay dark and clear. That sharp line splitting its light from its dark, the terminator, is where the sun is setting on the moon right now. You're watching a lunar sunset in slow motion.

  • Mars

    Any time it's dark

    Mars is out, low in the east. A distinct rusty red.

    Planet·Magnitude 0.9, sets later

    Find Mars low in the east. No telescope needed, just your eyes; planets don't twinkle the way stars do, they hold a steady, unwavering light. The light reaching your eye left Mars about 12 minutes ago.

  • Saturn

    Any time it's dark

    Saturn is out, low in the southwest. A soft gold; its rings need a small telescope.

    Planet·Magnitude 0.4, sets later

    Find Saturn low in the southwest. No telescope needed, just your eyes; planets don't twinkle the way stars do, they hold a steady, unwavering light. The light reaching your eye left Saturn about 71 minutes ago.

On the horizon

The Leonids peak

In 14 nights, up to 15 meteors an hour: quick meteors capable of rare, dramatic storms.

All times are local to Bristol. Last updated at 1:49 AM.

Open the live sky for Bristol

Live countdowns, a compass showing where to point, and an alert a few minutes before the space station passes over. Free, no signup.

Nearby skies

Meteor showers from Bristol