Where is Orion Nebula (M42) right now?
Orion Nebula (M42) is located in the constellation Orion. It is currently above the horizon at an altitude of 6° toward the south-east, with an apparent magnitude of 4.00.
Twilight begins at 23:09 local time. At that moment, Orion Nebula (M42) will be 6° above the horizon toward the south-east.
Twilight begins at 23:09 local time. At that moment, Orion Nebula (M42) will be 6° above the horizon toward the south-east.
Track Orion Nebula (M42) position throughout the night
← 26 September 2026 →
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Shift the map to change the time and observe Orion Nebula (M42) changing position in the night sky.
Where and When to Look for Orion Nebula (M42) Tonight
The best observable position of Orion Nebula (M42) is near 04:02: 47° above the horizon toward the south. Status: Best view.
How Orion Nebula (M42) Moves Across the Sky
During this observing period, Orion Nebula (M42) moves from the west, reaches its highest sampled position at 47° toward the south, and finishes toward the north-west.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of Orion Nebula (M42)
| Constellation | Orion |
| Elevation | 6° |
| Direction | south-east (101°) |
| Magnitude | 4 |
Orion Nebula (M42) Passage Through Night
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Current position of Orion Nebula (M42)
| Time | 23:09 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Elevation | 6° |
| Azimuth | 101° |
Here you can see the current position of Orion Nebula (M42) 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.
Orion Nebula (M42) Position by Hour
Select a row to move both interactive maps to that time.
| Time | Elevation | Azimuth | Direction | Visibility | RA | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 12:00 | -22° | 281° | west | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 13:00 | -34° | 292° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 14:00 | -44° | 305° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 15:00 | -53° | 324° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 16:00 | -58° | 349° | north | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 17:00 | -57° | 17° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 18:00 | -51° | 41° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 19:00 | -42° | 58° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 20:00 | -31° | 71° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 21:00 | -20° | 82° | east | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 22:00 | -8° | 91° | east | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 25, 23:00 | 4° | 100° | east | Very low | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 00:00 | 16° | 110° | south-east | Visible | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 01:00 | 26° | 121° | south-east | Visible | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 02:00 | 36° | 134° | south-east | Visible | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 03:00 | 43° | 151° | south-east | Visible | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 03:32 — Astronomical night ends | 46° | 162° | south-east | Visible | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 04:00 | 47° | 172° | south | Visible | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 04:02 — Twilight end | 47° | 173° | south | Visible | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 04:33 — Civil sunrise | 47° | 184° | south | Twilight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 05:00 | 46° | 194° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 05:00 — Sunrise | 46° | 194° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 06:00 | 41° | 214° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 07:00 | 33° | 230° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 08:00 | 24° | 242° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 09:00 | 13° | 253° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 10:00 | 1° | 263° | west | Daylight | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 11:00 | -11° | 272° | west | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |
| Sep 26, 12:00 | -23° | 281° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 35m | −05° 23′ |