नभस्तल* त्रिषु दिगन्तेष्वेकं नभः† Nabhastala* Triṣu diganteṣv ekaṃ nabhaḥ†

Annual observing reference

2026 field almanac

Observing horizon
Malabar Coast, India
Site ID
MALABAR_COAST
Year
2026

Best observing opportunities in 2026

See all twelve months →
  1. 01

    Minor planets

    4 Vesta

    81° altitude; magnitude 7.5.

  2. 02

    Planets

    Neptune

    Best monthly date at 73° altitude.

  3. 03

    Milky Way

    Milky Way core window

    5h 04m with 50° altitude.

  4. 04

    Meteor showers

    Perseids

    Peak conditions: 4% Moon illumination; 37° altitude predawn.

  5. 05

    Comets

    Comet 29P

    75° altitude; magnitude 17.6.

  6. 06

    Planetary events

    Jupiter opposition

    Visible for most of the night.

Annual visibility

Galactic Centre visibility

These are times when the Galactic Centre is visible in a dark sky, at least 20° above the horizon, with limited moonlight. Wider marks show longer periods.

Limited: under 2h or below 30°Fair: at least 2h and 30°Good: at least 4h and 45°Excellent: at least 7h and 60°
  1. Jan5:44 am–6:28 am44m · 28° · Limited
  2. Feb3:55 am–6:22 am2h 27m · 44° · Fair
  3. Mar2:08 am–6:07 am3h 59m · 50° · Fair
  4. Apr12:14 am–5:50 am5h 36m · 50° · Good
  5. May10:26 pm–5:40 am7h 13m · 50° · Good
  6. Jun8:44 pm–4:44 am8h 00m · 50° · Good
  7. Jul7:18 pm–2:58 am7h 40m · 50° · Good
  8. Aug7:12 pm–1:12 am6h 00m · 50° · Good
  9. Sep6:56 pm–11:16 pm4h 20m · 50° · Good
  10. Oct6:38 pm–9:38 pm3h 00m · 47° · Fair
  11. Nov6:24 pm–7:34 pm1h 10m · 32° · Limited
Download Galactic Centre CSV →

Planet visibility by month

Each cell gives the best altitude with the Sun at least 4° below the horizon. E, O and P mean evening, overnight and predawn.

PlanetJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mercury7°Poor11°Poor15°Poor16°Fair12°Poor14°Poor15°Poor15°Fair7°Poor14°Poor13°Poor9°Poor
Venus-2°Not Visible6°Poor14°Poor22°Fair30°Good30°Good31°Good33°Good27°Good15°Fair33°Good42°Good
Mars-2°Not Visible5°Poor7°Poor14°Poor19°Fair27°Good41°Good49°Excellent58°Excellent71°Excellent87°Excellent90°Excellent
Jupiter79°Excellent79°Excellent78°Excellent78°Excellent62°Excellent32°Good11°Poor19°Fair41°Good66°Excellent88°Excellent88°Excellent
Saturn69°Excellent38°Good14°Poor15°Poor42°Good69°Excellent82°Excellent82°Excellent82°Excellent81°Excellent80°Excellent80°Excellent
Uranus82°Excellent82°Excellent67°Excellent40°Good13°Poor25°Fair59°Excellent80°Excellent80°Excellent80°Excellent81°Excellent81°Excellent
Neptune73°Excellent39°Good13°Poor20°Fair49°Excellent75°Excellent79°Excellent79°Excellent79°Excellent79°Excellent78°Excellent78°Excellent
E eveningO overnightP predawn
Download planet CSV →

Jupiter and Saturn moons

Choose a date. The centre line marks the planet; west is left and east is right.

Monthly guides

  1. 01January Planet oppositionJupiter · 11 Jan · highest 12:30 am Best low-Moon period15 Jan · 11h 42m
  2. 02February Galactic Centre27 Feb · 4:04 am–6:21 am · max 44° Best low-Moon period14 Feb · 11h 30m
  3. 03March Galactic Centre26 Mar · 2:09 am–6:05 am · max 50° Best low-Moon period16 Mar · 11h 13m
  4. 04April Galactic Centre21 Apr · 12:20 am–5:50 am · max 50° Best low-Moon period14 Apr · 10h 54m
  5. 05May Galactic Centre20 May · 10:26 pm–5:40 am · max 50° Best low-Moon period14 May · 10h 36m
  6. 06June Galactic Centre15 Jun · 8:44 pm–4:44 am · max 50° Best low-Moon period12 Jun · 10h 26m
  7. 07July Galactic Centre11 Jul · 7:18 pm–2:58 am · max 50° Best low-Moon period18 Jul · 10h 31m
  8. 08August Meteor showerPerseids · 12 Aug · 4% Moon · radiant 37° predawn Best low-Moon period17 Aug · 10h 47m
  9. 09September Planet oppositionNeptune · 26 Sep · highest 12:30 am Best low-Moon period15 Sep · 11h 05m
  10. 10October Planet oppositionSaturn · 5 Oct · highest 12:30 am Best low-Moon period15 Oct · 11h 23m
  11. 11November Planet oppositionUranus · 26 Nov · highest 12:00 am Best low-Moon period14 Nov · 11h 38m
  12. 12December Meteor showerGeminids · 14 Dec · 22% Moon · radiant 60° predawn Best low-Moon period14 Dec · 11h 45m