Look Up

Reykjavík, Iceland

The sky above Reykjavík tonight

It is dark in Reykjavík right now. The next night begins around 6:58 PM. The moon is 48% lit.

What to look for

  • The aurora

    Any time it's dark

    Aurora is likely tonight. Watch the northern horizon.

    Aurora·Kp ~3 · ~12% overhead

    No storm tonight, but you sit close to the auroral oval (Kp around 3, and the live nowcast puts the chance overhead near 12%). Get away from city lights, give the sky an hour after full dark, and look low toward the northern horizon. To the eye it often reads as a pale grey-green glow or faint moving pillars; a phone camera on a few seconds of exposure will pull out the colour your eyes can't. This is the one on this list most people go a lifetime without seeing.

  • Jupiter

    Any time it's dark

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

    Planet·Magnitude -2.0, sets later

    Find Jupiter low on the horizon 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, 12:36 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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 Reykjavík. Last updated at 1:53 AM.

Open the live sky for Reykjavík

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 Reykjavík