Where is M78 right now?
M78 is located in the constellation Orion. Although M78 is currently 32° above the horizon, it is not visible because it is daytime.
Track M78 position throughout the night
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| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe M78 changing position in the night sky.
Where and When to Look for M78 Tonight
The best observable position of M78 is near 03:00: 53° above the horizon toward the south. Status: Best view.
How M78 Moves Across the Sky
During this observing period, M78 moves from the north-west, reaches its highest sampled position at 53° toward the south, and finishes toward the north-west.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of M78
| Constellation | Orion |
| Elevation | -41° |
| Direction | north-east (48°) |
| Magnitude | 8 |
M78 Passage Through Night
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Current position of M78
| Time | 17:24 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Elevation | -41° |
| Azimuth | 48° |
Here you can see the current position of M78 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.
M78 Position by Hour
Select a row to move both interactive maps to that time.
| Time | Elevation | Azimuth | Direction | Visibility | RA | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 12:00 | -33° | 299° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 13:00 | -42° | 314° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 14:00 | -49° | 333° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 15:00 | -53° | 356° | north | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 16:00 | -51° | 21° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 17:00 | -45° | 41° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 18:00 | -36° | 57° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 19:00 | -25° | 69° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 20:00 | -13° | 79° | east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 21:00 | -1° | 89° | east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 22:00 | 10° | 98° | east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 17, 23:00 | 22° | 108° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 00:00 | 33° | 120° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 01:00 | 43° | 134° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 02:00 | 50° | 154° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 03:00 | 53° | 177° | south | Best view | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 03:51 — Astronomical night ends | 51° | 198° | south-west | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 04:00 | 51° | 201° | south-west | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 04:22 — Twilight end | 49° | 210° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 04:52 — Civil sunrise | 45° | 220° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 05:00 | 44° | 222° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 05:20 — Sunrise | 42° | 228° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 06:00 | 35° | 237° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 07:00 | 25° | 250° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 08:00 | 13° | 260° | west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 09:00 | 1° | 269° | west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 10:00 | -11° | 278° | west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 11:00 | -22° | 288° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 18, 12:00 | -33° | 300° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |