Alcyone Position and Visibility Tonight
Where is Alcyone right now?
Alcyone is located in the constellation Taurus. It is currently above the horizon at an altitude of 73° toward the south-west, with an apparent magnitude of 2.83.
Alcyone visibility on 2026-11-06
Alcyone Visible from evening until sunrise
Alcyone rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moonrise, 18.4% illuminated  | 22:13 | 62° |
| Moonset | 10:25 | -20° |
| Alcyone rise | 12:50 | |
| Civil sunset | 12:53 | 0° |
| Twilight start (−12°) | 13:25 | 6° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 13:57 | 11° |
| Alcyone transit | 20:17 | 74° |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 00:34 | 34° |
| Twilight end (−12°) | 01:06 | 28° |
| Civil sunrise | 01:38 | 22° |
| Sunrise | 02:08 | 17° |
| Alcyone set | 03:44 |
Track Alcyone position throughout the night
← 6 November 2026 →
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Shift the map to change the time and observe Alcyone changing position in the night sky.
Star system description: Alcyone
A double or multiple star system in Taurus.
Pair AB (117.6″; magnitudes 2.83 and 6.27) is the binocular candidate in the catalog model. Actual resolution depends on magnification and stability.
The diagram uses the latest WDS measurements; north is up and east is right. Measurements may be from different years. Unconnected groups are arranged separately; close pairs may merge, and pairs without reliable geometry are omitted.
Technical details: Alcyone
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| System identifier | WDS 03475+2406 |
| Bayer / Flamsteed designation | η Tau |
| Constellation | Taurus |
| System type | multiple star system |
| Right ascension (RA) | 03h 47m 29s" |
| Declination (Dec) | 24° 06' 18s |
| Component | AB |
| Primary magnitude | 2.83 |
| Secondary magnitude | 6.27 |
| Separation (arcseconds) | 117.6″ |
| Position angle | 291° |
| Discovery year | 1836 |
| Last observed | 2016 |
| Spectral type (primary/secondary) | B7III+A4V |
| Number of observations | 37 |
11 components are identified in WDS; this is not a count of resolved stars.
Components of Alcyone
Each row is a separate WDS component pair. Measurements may come from different years.
| Component | Primary magnitude | Secondary magnitude | Separation (arcseconds) | Position angle | Last observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB (binoculars) | 2.83 | 6.27 | 117.6″ | 291° | 2016 |
| Aa,Ab | 3.00 | 4.60 | — | — | 1973 |
| AC | 2.83 | 8.22 | 182″ | 313° | 2016 |
| AD | 2.83 | 8.73 | 191.8″ | 297° | 2016 |
| AE | 2.83 | 15.00 | 78.4″ | 232° | 2016 |
| AF | 2.83 | 13.02 | 144.5″ | 232° | 2016 |
| AG | 2.83 | 11.84 | 200″ | 54° | 2016 |
| AH | 2.83 | 11.72 | 222.8″ | 44° | 2016 |
| Ba,Bb | 6.70 | 7.80 | — | — | 1973 |
| BC | 6.27 | 8.22 | 86.2″ | 345° | 2017 |
| BD | 6.27 | 8.73 | 75.2″ | 305° | 2015 |
| CD | 8.22 | 8.73 | 54.7″ | 225° | 2016 |
| Da,Db | 9.20 | 9.80 | 0.1″ | 116° | 2024 |
Notes
- T: Matching parallax and similar proper motion indicate a physical pair.
Data source: Washington Double Star (WDS) Catalog. Maintained by the U.S. Naval Observatory; thanks to the WDS team.
Finder Chart for Alcyone
Alcyone Passage Through Night
Double-click to unlock the map.
Current position of Alcyone
| Time | 20:42 |
| Latitude | 39.9612 |
| Longitude | -82.9988 |
| Elevation | 73° |
| Azimuth | 201° |
Here you can see the current position of Alcyone on the map, as well as its positions for rise and set. This tool lets you track its movement throughout the night with accurate, up-to-date information.
When Is Alcyone Visible Throughout the Year?
Alcyone will remain visible until April 7, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
| Date | Sat, 7 November 2026 |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 13:52 |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 00:29 |
| Astronomical observing duration | 11h 37m |
| Rise | 12:46 |
| Set | 03:40 |
| Elevation at transit | 74° |
| Transit time | 20:13 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 03h 47m 29s", Dec: 24° 06' 18s |
| Magnitude | 3 |
| Constellation | Taurus |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of Alcyone, including its daily appearances and transit times. The vertical axis shows the hours of the day and the horizontal axis spans the year. The reddish area marks when the object is above the horizon, while the white line marks its daily transit.
You can also see when Alcyone is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
You can also see when Alcyone is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of Alcyone
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 03h 47m 29s |
| Declination | 24° 06′ 19″ |
| Magnitude | 2.83 |
| Constellation | Taurus |
| Elevation | 73.3° |
| Azimuth | 200.5° |