Where is M17 right now?
M17 is located in the constellation Sagittarius. It is currently above the horizon at an altitude of 31° toward the south-west, with an apparent magnitude of 7.00.
Twilight begins at 18:29 local time. At that moment, M17 will be 31° above the horizon toward the south-west.
Twilight begins at 18:29 local time. At that moment, M17 will be 31° above the horizon toward the south-west.
Track M17 position throughout the night
← 3 October 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe M17 changing position in the night sky.
Where and When to Look for M17 Tonight
The best observable position of M17 is near 18:00: 33° above the horizon toward the south-west. Status: Best view.
How M17 Moves Across the Sky
During this observing period, M17 moves from the south-east, reaches its highest sampled position at 33° toward the south-west, and finishes toward the south-east.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of M17
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Elevation | 31° |
| Direction | south-west (210°) |
| Magnitude | 7 |
M17 Passage Through Night
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Current position of M17
| Time | 18:29 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Elevation | 31° |
| Azimuth | 210° |
Here you can see the current position of M17 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.
M17 Position by Hour
Select a row to move both interactive maps to that time.
| Time | Elevation | Azimuth | Direction | Visibility | RA | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2, 12:00 | 5° | 115° | south-east | Daylight | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 13:00 | 15° | 125° | south-east | Daylight | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 14:00 | 24° | 137° | south-east | Daylight | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 15:00 | 31° | 151° | south-east | Daylight | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 16:00 | 36° | 168° | south-east | Daylight | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 17:00 | 36° | 186° | south | Twilight | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 18:00 | 33° | 203° | south-west | Best view | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 19:00 | 27° | 218° | south-west | Visible | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 20:00 | 19° | 231° | south-west | Visible | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 21:00 | 9° | 242° | south-west | Very low | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 22:00 | -2° | 251° | south-west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 2, 23:00 | -14° | 260° | west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 00:00 | -25° | 269° | west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 01:00 | -37° | 278° | west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 02:00 | -49° | 290° | north-west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 03:00 | -59° | 307° | north-west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 03:38 — Astronomical night ends | -65° | 323° | north-west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 04:00 | -67° | 335° | north-west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 04:08 — Twilight end | -68° | 340° | north-west | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 04:39 — Civil sunrise | -69° | 360° | north | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 05:00 | -68° | 13° | north-east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 05:06 — Sunrise | -68° | 18° | north-east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 06:00 | -62° | 45° | north-east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 07:00 | -52° | 65° | north-east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 08:00 | -41° | 78° | north-east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 09:00 | -29° | 89° | east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 10:00 | -17° | 97° | east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 11:00 | -6° | 106° | south-east | Below horizon | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |
| Oct 3, 12:00 | 6° | 115° | south-east | Daylight | 18h 20m | −16° 10′ |