Look Up

Denver, United States

The sky above Denver tonight

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

What to look for

  • The space station returns

    Tuesday, 4:44 AM

    A bright overhead pass. It rises in the northwest and sails almost straight above you.

    Space station·Peaks 61° up · 6 min·6 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 northwest a minute early; it will climb to high in the southwest, then fade out as it enters Earth's shadow near the southeast. No telescope, no app pointed at the sky, just look up.

  • The space station returns

    Tomorrow, 5:31 AM

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

    Space station·Peaks 34° up · 6 min·6 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.

  • The space station

    Tomorrow, 3:55 AM

    It climbs from the northwest, crosses low, and sets toward the east.

    Space station·Peaks 30° up · 6 min·6 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 northwest a minute early; it will climb to low in the northeast, then fade out as it enters Earth's shadow near the east. No telescope, no app pointed at the sky, just look up.

  • Saturn

    Any time it's dark

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

    Planet·Magnitude 0.4, sets later

    Find Saturn low in the southeast. 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.

  • The moon

    Rises Tuesday, 12:37 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.

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 Denver. Last updated at 6:49 PM.

Open the live sky for Denver

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 Denver