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Sky-Tonight.com / Brightest Stars / Altair
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Observation Settings

Or select it on the map:
This Earth map fragment is intended to illustrate celestial motion across the sky, emphasizing both bearing and elevational perspectives. The map's center point corresponds to the transit, showcasing celestial objects at their highest point, while elevation gradually decreases towards the map edges. This dynamic representation offers insights into the changing positions of celestial bodies with a focus on their bearing and elevational trajectories.
Your location: Santa Clara, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
37.3541
Longitude:
-121.955

Altair Observation Details

Altair

Altair Daily Motion

Altair will reach its transit before twilight, at 14:33. By the onset of twilight at 16:00, it will be at elevation, and it will set before sunrise, at 20:59.
Altair will be visible until December, 21, when it will move too close to the Sun. During this time, its proximity to the Sun will cause it to disappear from the night sky, making it unobservable for a while.

Altair Visibility Timetable on November 12

Altair Rise and Set Timetable

TimeElevation
Moon Set11:2940°
Altair transit14:3362°
Sunset14:5861°
Civil sunset15:2759°
Astrosession begin16:2951°
Altair set20:59
Moon Rise, 49.3% illuminated21:25-5°
Astrosession end03:14-43°
Altair rise08:02

Track Altair Position Throughout the Night

← Wed, 12 November 2025 →

Elevation (degrees)
Time
Altitude
Azimuth
Shift the map to change the time and observe Altair changing position in the night sky.

Where is Altair right now?

Altair is located in the constellation Aquila, at right ascension 19h 50m 46s" and declination 08° 52' 05s. At the current time, it is above the horizon at an altitude of 55 degrees toward the southeast from your location, with an apparent magnitude of 0.76.

Altair - Main Sequence Star

Altair is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and the twelfth-brightest star in the night sky. It is a main sequence star located about 16.7 light-years away from Earth.

Altair has an apparent magnitude of 0.76 and is known for its rapid rotation, which causes it to have an oblate shape. It is one of the closest stars visible to the naked eye.

Finder Chart for Altair

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Object nameAltair
Field of view
Limiting magnitude
Altair coordinates19.846388, 8.868322000000001
Center coordinates19.846388, 8.868322000000001

Altair Passage Through Night

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Current position of Altair

Time16:00
Latitude37.3541
Longitude-121.955
Altair elevation55°
Altair Azimuth139°
Here you can see the current position of the Altair on the map, as well as its positions for rise and set. This tool allows you to track the Altair's movement throughout the night, providing you with accurate and up-to-date information.

Annual motion of Altair

Time
DateThu, 13 November 2025
Twighlight start16:28
Twighlight end03:12
Twighlight duration11h 44m
Rise08:02
Set20:55
Elevation at transit62°
Transit time14:29
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 19h 50m 46s", Dec: 08° 52' 05s
Magnitude1
ConstellationAquila
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Altair, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Altair is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.

Astrometric & Physical Parameters of Altair

Coordinates & Visibility

Right Ascension19.846388°
Declination8.868322000000001°
Magnitude0.76
ConstellationAquila
Elevation55.2°
Azimuth139.4°