WhatTheStar

Tonight, where you are

Tonight starts at sunset.

This is the real sky over you. Scroll, and it turns through tonight from sunset to sunrise, at your own times.

Open the Sky Map Find the North Star · 6-min guide 60-second tour

The sky behind this page turns from sunset to sunrise as you scroll; each section below says what is up at that minute.

Look up tonight.

Go out with the Sky Map Plan tonight

Worked out on your device, for where you are. The Sun, Moon and planets are checked against NASA’s JPL Horizons: the Moon to within 8.1 arcseconds. See the measurements

Keys on this page

↓ Space Page Down
On through the night: the sky behind the page turns with it, from sunset to sunrise.
↑ Page Up
Back towards sunset.
Home End
To sunset, or on to sunrise.
Tab
To the links and buttons, and to the rail of tonight’s moments, where the arrows step from one to the next.
?
Open and close this list.

The Sky Map has many more: press ? on the map to see them.

Settings

Screen

Night mode Turns every page red, to keep your eyes adjusted to the dark.
Dims the screen below your phone’s lowest setting, down to a fifth, while night mode is on.
High contrast Bolder constellation lines, larger and brighter names on the sky, and stronger text and edges everywhere. Starts on if your device asks for more contrast.
Reduce motion The camera cuts to where it is going instead of flying there, and panels and sheets appear without sliding. Starts on if your device asks for less motion.
Battery saver Draws the sky thirty times a second at most: smoothness traded for battery.

Clock and voice

Clock How every time is written. Until you choose, your language’s own clock decides.
D describes What D says about the view on the sky: one sentence, or in full with the field, the constellation and five names.
Sounds Quiet tones as you use the map: a tick as you drag the clock past a mark or dusk, a chime for the star you pick — higher for hotter stars — and a low swell while a figure is out of the dome. Made in your browser, and off until you turn them on.
All settings and your progress