Objects in your sky: Planets

by Dominic Ford

The visibility of the planets on

From location

London
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Rise02:01
Set19:31

The Moon is a 27-day-old waning crescent, and is approaching new moon. From London, it is visible from soon after it rises, at 02:01, until soon before it sets at 19:31. Always take extreme caution when trying to make daytime observations of the Moon while the Sun is above the horizon.

06 Aug 2026  –  Moon at Last Quarter
12 Aug 2026  –  New Moon
20 Aug 2026  –  Moon at First Quarter
28 Aug 2026  –  Full Moon
Rise04:03
Set19:51

Mercury remains just about visible as a morning object, now well past greatest elongation west and returning closer to the Sun. From London, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 03:59 (BST) – 1 hour and 35 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 8° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 05:08.

Rise10:01
Set21:47

Venus is emerging into the evening sky as it approaches greatest elongation east. From London, it is not observable – it will reach its highest point in the sky during daytime and is no higher than 7° above the horizon at dusk.

Rise01:22
Set17:59

Mars is currently emerging from behind the Sun. From London, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 01:20 (BST) and reaching an altitude of 26° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 04:34.

24 Feb 2025  –  Mars ends retrograde motion
10 Jan 2027  –  Mars enters retrograde motion
19 Feb 2027  –  Mars at opposition
20 Feb 2027  –  Mars at perigee
Rise04:45
Set20:13

Jupiter recently passed behind the Sun at solar conjunction. From London, it is not observable – it will reach its highest point in the sky during daytime and is no higher than 2° above the horizon at dawn.

11 Mar 2026  –  Jupiter ends retrograde motion
13 Dec 2026  –  Jupiter enters retrograde motion
11 Feb 2027  –  Jupiter at opposition
13 Apr 2027  –  Jupiter ends retrograde motion
Rise22:22
Set11:02

Saturn is currently visible as a morning object. From London, it is visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 23:35, when it reaches an altitude of 10° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 04:42, 41° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 04:49, 41° above your southern horizon.

26 Jul 2026  –  Saturn enters retrograde motion
04 Oct 2026  –  Saturn at opposition
11 Dec 2026  –  Saturn ends retrograde motion
09 Aug 2027  –  Saturn enters retrograde motion
Rise23:57
Set15:57

Uranus is currently emerging from behind the Sun. From London, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 23:57 (BST) and reaching an altitude of 34° above the eastern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 03:55.

04 Feb 2026  –  Uranus ends retrograde motion
10 Sep 2026  –  Uranus enters retrograde motion
25 Nov 2026  –  Uranus at opposition
08 Feb 2027  –  Uranus ends retrograde motion
Rise21:57
Set10:06

Neptune is currently visible as a morning object. From London, it is visible in the dawn sky, rising at 21:57 (BST) and reaching an altitude of 38° above the southern horizon before fading from view as dawn breaks at around 03:55.

07 Jul 2026  –  Neptune enters retrograde motion
26 Sep 2026  –  Neptune at opposition
12 Dec 2026  –  Neptune ends retrograde motion
10 Jul 2027  –  Neptune enters retrograde motion

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London

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Longitude:
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51.51°N
0.13°W
BST

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