Kigali, Rwanda
The sky above Kigali tonight
It is dark in Kigali right now. The next night begins around 6:35 PM. The moon is 48% lit.
What to look for
The space station returns
Tomorrow, 7:23 PMIt climbs from the southwest, crosses partway up, and sets toward the north.
Space station·Peaks 36° 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 southwest a minute early; it will climb to partway up in the northwest, then fade out as it enters Earth's shadow near the north. No telescope, no app pointed at the sky, just look up.
The space station
Today, 6:34 PMIt climbs from the south, crosses low, and sets toward the east.
Space station·Peaks 15° up · 4 min·4 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 south a minute early; it will climb to low in the southeast, then fade out as it enters Earth's shadow near the east. No telescope, no app pointed at the sky, just look up.
Jupiter
Any time it's darkJupiter is out, partway up in the east. Steady, creamy white, unmistakable.
Planet·Magnitude -2.0, sets later
Find Jupiter partway up 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.
Mars
Any time it's darkMars is out, partway up in the northeast. A distinct rusty red.
Planet·Magnitude 0.9, sets later
Find Mars partway up in the northeast. 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.
The moon
Rises tomorrow, 1:01 AMA 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 Kigali. Last updated at 3:57 AM.
Live countdowns, a compass showing where to point, and an alert a few minutes before the space station passes over. Free, no signup.