Canopus Tonight: Visibility, Position and Best Viewing Time
Is Canopus Visible Tonight?
From your location, Canopus is not visible tonight. Its current altitude, direction, rise and set times, and finder chart are shown below.
When Is the Best Time to See Canopus Tonight?
Canopus does not reach 30° above the horizon during tonight’s practical observing window, so conditions remain less favorable.
Where is Canopus right now?
Canopus is located in the constellation Carina. It is currently below the horizon and is not visible from your location.
Canopus visibility on 2026-09-26
Canopus is Not visible tonight
Canopus rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Canopus is always below the horizon | - | |
Moonrise, 99.4% illuminated  | 16:26 | -73° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:26 | -70° |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:32 | -3° |
| Moonset | 04:59 | -0° |
| Canopus transit | 05:10 | -0° |
Track Canopus position throughout the night
← 26 September 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Canopus changing position in the night sky.
Canopus - Supergiant Star
Canopus is the second-brightest star in the night sky, located in the constellation Carina. It is a supergiant star approximately 310 light-years away from Earth. Canopus is significantly larger and more luminous than the Sun.
With an apparent magnitude of -0.72, Canopus is a key navigation star and has been used for centuries by mariners and astronomers alike.
Finder Chart for Canopus
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| Object name | Canopus |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| Canopus coordinates | 6.3992, -52.69566 |
| Center coordinates | 6.3992, -52.69566 |
Canopus Passage Through Night
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Current position of Canopus
| Time | 14:34 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Elevation | -59° |
| Azimuth | 228° |
Here you can see the current position of Canopus 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.
When Is Canopus Visible Throughout the Year?
| Date | Sat, 26 September 2026 |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:22 |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:25 |
| Astronomical observing duration | 9h 3m |
| Rise | Canopus is always down |
| Set | Canopus is always down |
| Elevation at transit | -0° |
| Transit time | 05:10 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 06h 23m 57s", Dec: -52° 41' 44s |
| Magnitude | -1 |
| Constellation | Carina |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of Canopus, 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 see when Canopus is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
You can also see when Canopus is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of Canopus
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 06h 23m 57s |
| Declination | -52° 41′ 44″ |
| Magnitude | -0.62 |
| Constellation | Carina |
| Elevation | -58.7° |
| Azimuth | 227.9° |
| Spectral type | F0Ib |