Tonight’s sky in Cape Town, South Africa
Wednesday, 28 October 2026 · 04:12 local time
This snapshot is for the current night. Time zone: Africa/Johannesburg. Coordinates: -33.92°, 18.42°. Times and directions are calculated for the city center.
Explore this sky →Sunset, twilight and darkness
All times are local to Cape Town, South Africa. This night is already underway; suggestions start from now.
- Sunset
- 27 Oct, 19:09
- Civil twilight ends · Sun −6°
- 27 Oct, 19:36
- Nautical twilight ends · Sun −12°
- 27 Oct, 20:07
- Astronomical darkness begins · Sun −18°
- 27 Oct, 20:40
- Astronomical dawn · Sun −18°
- 28 Oct, 04:19
- Sunrise
- 28 Oct, 05:49
Bright planets may be visible during twilight. Faint nebulae and galaxies benefit from astronomical darkness, although Moonlight and light pollution still matter. Some summer nights never reach that level of darkness.
Suggested planet-viewing times
These are the highest positions found at 30-minute samples between 28 Oct, 04:12 and 28 Oct, 05:49, with the Sun at least 6° below the horizon, the planet at least 15° high and magnitude brighter than 4.5. These are planning suggestions, not exact transit times.
Mars
28 Oct, 05:12 · about 28° above the horizon
Find Mars at this time →Read the Mars observing guideJupiter
28 Oct, 05:12 · about 27° above the horizon
Find Jupiter at this time →Read the Jupiter observing guide
Buildings, terrain, cloud and atmospheric conditions are not included. For a different location, choose your place in the sky map.
Calculated with Astronomy Engine for the city center. Twilight definitions: National Weather Service. Calculation methods and limitations.
Bright planets above the horizon
- Jupiter — 17° above the NE horizon. Find in sky.
- Saturn — 9° above the W horizon. Find in sky.
- Mars — 19° above the NE horizon. Find in sky.
These targets are calculated for Cape Town, South Africa. Actual visibility depends on twilight, cloud and your horizon.
The Moon
Waning gibbous · 95% illuminated. Moonlight can make faint objects harder to see; check the Moon’s altitude below.
Moon and planets at 04:12
| Object | Horizon | Altitude | Direction | Next rise | Next set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moon | Above | 23.2° | NW 330° | 28 Oct, 22:16 | 28 Oct, 07:01 |
| Mercury | Below | -23.2° | SE 138° | 28 Oct, 06:27 | 28 Oct, 20:22 |
| Venus | Below | -11.3° | SE 119° | 28 Oct, 05:09 | 28 Oct, 18:41 |
| Mars | Above | 19.1° | NE 52° | 29 Oct, 02:22 | 28 Oct, 12:52 |
| Jupiter | Above | 16.6° | NE 59° | 29 Oct, 02:39 | 28 Oct, 13:28 |
| Saturn | Above | 9.0° | W 278° | 28 Oct, 16:58 | 28 Oct, 04:58 |
| Uranus | Above | 30.1° | NW 333° | 28 Oct, 21:25 | 28 Oct, 07:34 |
| Neptune | Above | 4.0° | W 272° | 28 Oct, 16:24 | 28 Oct, 04:34 |
Make this report useful outdoors
Start with a bright planet well above the horizon. An object marked above the horizon may still be hidden by buildings, terrain, twilight, or cloud. Uranus and Neptune usually require optical aid. Your exact observing location can change these directions and times.
From this southern latitude, familiar northern-sky patterns can appear tilted or may never rise. Use the map’s local horizon instead of relying on northern observing charts.
Understand altitude and brightness