Please use the top row of grey buttons for aurora, International Space Station,
Iridium flare & planetary moon predictors.
Instructions for using the Almanac may be found below.
Moon rises / sets:
 Sun rises / sets:
 Twilight begins / ends:
phase Moon's age:
 chart
Julian Day:
 Morning planets: 
Evening planets: 
Date: 
Local Date
& Time:
Time:   UT  Daylight Savings Time?
(If applicable, this MUST be checked!)
 Country:  Location: 
City:  Time Zone:   hour(s) from UT
How to use the Almanac: the Almanac opens with the current sky conditions over Mt John Observatory in New Zealand, basing the Universal Time (UT) and calendar date on your computer's clock. The corresponding local date and time, day of the week, latitude, longitude and time zone are also displayed.
You may select an alternative location from the pull-down Country and City menus, or enter a new Date (yyyy/mm/dd format) and Time (UT), then click 'Calc' to update the Almanac. You may also step forward or backward in time by one hour, day, or week by clicking the appropriate button. Clicking 'Reset' restores the program to the current date and time.
Important note: the predicted rising and setting times assume a flat horizon. If you have nearby hills or mountains, then the rising and setting times will be later and earlier, respectively.
Crucial note: only select the Daylight Savings Time? button if appropriate for your chosen location and season!   [Return to Top of Page]
Key to the advanced data table below: The coordinates of right ascension (R.A.) and declination (Dec.) give the object's position on the celestial sphere for the equinox of date. Next are listed the apparent visual magnitude; angular size in arcseconds (arcminutes for the Sun and Moon); percentage of the disk illuminated by sunlight (phase); and, for the specified location, the local times of the object's rising, transiting (appearing highest in the sky), and setting.
R.A. Dec. Magnitude Size Phase Rise Transit Set
Sun  ---
Moon 
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn