Sirius Tonight: Visibility, Position and Best Viewing Time
Is Sirius Visible Tonight?
From your location, Sirius 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 Sirius Tonight?
The earliest practical time to observe Sirius tonight is around 01:58, when it is already about 30° above the horizon. It reaches its highest point of about 36° around 03:48.
Where is Sirius right now?
Sirius is located in the constellation Canis Major. Although Sirius is currently 5° above the horizon, it is not visible because it is daytime.
Sirius tonight
Sirius visibility on 2026-10-23
Sirius Visible from before midnight until sunrise
Sirius rise and set timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moonrise, 80.5% illuminated  | 14:26 | -63° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 17:48 | -56° |
| Sirius rise | 22:39 | |
| Moonset | 02:40 | 34° |
| Sirius transit | 03:45 | 36° |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:56 | 36° |
| Twilight end (−12°) | 04:26 | 35° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:57 | 33° |
| Sunrise | 05:24 | 31° |
| Sirius set | 08:51 |
Track Sirius position throughout the night
← 23 October 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Sirius changing position in the night sky.
Sirius - Main Sequence Star
Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the night sky. It is a binary star system consisting of a main sequence star, Sirius A, and a faint white dwarf companion, Sirius B.
Sirius A is about twice as massive as the Sun and 25 times more luminous. The system is approximately 8.6 light-years away from Earth and is a prominent feature of the winter sky in the Northern Hemisphere.
Finder Chart for Sirius
Sirius Passage Through Night
Double-click to unlock the map.
Current position of Sirius
| Time | 08:29 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Elevation | 5° |
| Azimuth | 245° |
Here you can see the current position of Sirius 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 Sirius Visible Throughout the Year?
Sirius will remain visible until April 10, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.
| Date | Fri, 23 October 2026 |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 17:44 |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:49 |
| Astronomical observing duration | 10h 6m |
| Rise | 22:39 |
| Set | 08:51 |
| Elevation at transit | 36° |
| Transit time | 03:45 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 06h 45m 08s", Dec: -16° 42' 58s |
| Magnitude | -1 |
| Constellation | Canis Major |
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of Sirius, 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 Sirius is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
You can also see when Sirius is visible throughout the year in a table with exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of Sirius
Coordinates and Visibility
| Right Ascension | 06h 45m 09s |
| Declination | -16° 42′ 58″ |
| Magnitude | -1.44 |
| Constellation | Canis Major |
| Elevation | 4.8° |
| Azimuth | 244.7° |
| Spectral type | A0m... |