SKY · IDENTIFY · NEW ZEALAND

What's That in the Sky Over Wellington?

See a bright “star,” a steady glowing point, or something you can't place over Wellington? Pick the direction you're facing and we'll name the brightest objects that way right now — computed live for Wellington's coordinates (-41.3°, 174.8°).

WHAT'S IN THE SKY OVER WELLINGTON NOW
WHICH WAY ARE YOU LOOKING?
Almost certainly the MoonTHE MOON
Unmistakable once you spot it — currently waxing crescent, 23% lit.NW · 20° up · north-western sky
VenusPLANET
Far brighter than any star — if it outshines everything, it is almost certainly Venus.WNW · 3° up · north-western sky
SiriusSTAR
The brightest star in the whole sky — blue-white, low in the south, trailing Orion.WSW · 8° up · western sky
CanopusSTAR
Second-brightest star — only seen from the south / far-southern US.SW · 27° up · south-western sky
Alpha CentauriSTAR
The closest star system to the Sun — brilliant, but only from the far south.SSE · 65° up · south-eastern sky
ArcturusSTAR
A warm orange star high in the spring/summer evening sky.NNE · 27° up · northern sky
IS IT MOVING OR FLASHING?

A point of light that drifts steadily across the sky in a minute or two — not twinkling, no flashing lights — is a satellite (often the ISS or a Starlink train). A blinking light moving in a straight line is an aircraft. The objects above don't move noticeably over a few minutes.

The list is ordered brightest-first and updates through the night. A planet shines with a steady light; a star twinkles; a point that drifts across the sky in a minute or two is a satellite. Best viewing is once the sky is fully dark — check our stargazing conditions for Wellington.

Wellington right now

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