Capella Tonight: Visibility, Position and Best Viewing Time
Is Capella Visible Tonight?
From your location, Capella is visible from before midnight until sunrise. Its current altitude, direction, rise and set times, and finder chart are shown below.
When Is the Best Time to See Capella Tonight?
The earliest practical time to observe Capella tonight is around 01:33, when it is already about 57° above the horizon. It reaches its highest point of about 80° around 03:57.
Where is Capella right now?
Capella is located in the constellation Auriga. It is currently above the horizon at an altitude of 19° toward the north-east, with an apparent magnitude of 0.08.
Twilight begins at 21:43 local time. At that moment, Capella will be 19° above the horizon toward the north-east.
Twilight begins at 21:43 local time. At that moment, Capella will be 19° above the horizon toward the north-east.
Capella visibility on 2026-09-20
Capella Visible from before midnight until sunrise
Capella rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moonrise, 51.4% illuminated  | 13:23 | 3° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:36 | -2° |
| Capella rise | 18:59 | |
| Moonset | 22:40 | 28° |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:26 | 76° |
| Twilight end (−12°) | 03:57 | 80° |
| Capella transit | 04:26 | 81° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:28 | 81° |
| Sunrise | 04:55 | 80° |
Track Capella position throughout the night
← 20 September 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Capella changing position in the night sky.
Capella - Binary Star System
Capella is the brightest star in the constellation Auriga and the sixth-brightest star in the night sky. It is a binary star system consisting of two giant stars, Capella Aa and Capella Ab.
Capella is approximately 42.9 light-years away from Earth. Both stars are larger and more luminous than the Sun, and they orbit each other every 104 days.
Finder Chart for Capella
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| Object name | Capella |
| Field of view | |
| Limiting magnitude | |
| Capella coordinates | 5.27815, 45.997991 |
| Center coordinates | 5.27815, 45.997991 |
Capella Passage Through Night
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Current position of Capella
| Time | 21:43 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Elevation | 19° |
| Azimuth | 46° |
Here you can see the current position of Capella 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 Capella Visible Throughout the Year?
Capella will remain visible until May 6, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
| Date | Mon, 21 September 2026 |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:34 |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:24 |
| Astronomical observing duration | 9h 50m |
| Rise | 18:55 |
| Set | 13:50 |
| Elevation at transit | 81° |
| Transit time | 04:22 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 05h 16m 41s", Dec: 45° 59' 52s |
| Magnitude | 0 |
| Constellation | Auriga |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of Capella, 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 Capella is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
You can also see when Capella is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of Capella
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 05h 16m 41s |
| Declination | 45° 59′ 53″ |
| Magnitude | 0.08 |
| Constellation | Auriga |
| Elevation | 19.3° |
| Azimuth | 46.3° |
| Spectral type | M1: comp |