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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 lets you select the observer’s location used to calculate the bearing and elevation of celestial objects. The selected point determines how the sky, rise and set times, and object positions are shown.
Your location: Santa Clara, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
37.3541
Longitude:
-121.955

Altair Position and Visibility Tonight

Altair

Where is Altair right now?

Altair is located in the constellation Aquila. It is currently above the horizon at an altitude of 55° toward the south-east, with an apparent magnitude of 0.76.
Twilight begins at 19:20 local time. At that moment, Altair will be 55° above the horizon toward the south-east.

Altair visibility on 2026-08-24

Altair Visible from sunset until morning twilight

Altair rise and set timetable

TimeElevation
Altair rise14:22
Moonrise, 83.8% illuminated 15:2913°
Sunset17:4740°
Civil sunset18:1645°
Twilight start18:4851°
Astronomical observing session begins19:2256°
Altair transit20:4862°
Moonset00:5228°
Astronomical observing session ends02:583°
Altair set03:14

Track Altair Position Throughout the Night

← 24 August 2026 →

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

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

Double-click to unlock the map.
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

Time19:20
Latitude37.3541
Longitude-121.955
Elevation55°
Azimuth140°
Here you can see the current position of Altair 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.

Annual motion of Altair


Altair will remain visible until December 22, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
Time
DateTue, 25 August 2026
Twilight start19:20
Twilight end02:56
Twilight duration8h 36m
Rise14:18
Set03:10
Elevation at transit62°
Transit time20:44
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 19h 50m 46s", Dec: 08° 52' 05s
Magnitude1
ConstellationAquila
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of Altair, 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 view detailed visibility information in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.

Astrometric and Physical Parameters of Altair

Coordinates and Visibility

Right Ascension19.846388°
Declination8.868322000000001°
Magnitude0.76
ConstellationAquila
Elevation55.3°
Azimuth139.6°