Tonight's Night Sky
Daily naked-eye skywatching outlook for Jackson, Missouri — Friday, April 24, 2026
🌌 Tonight's Sky Score
35/100
Poor
Based on clouds, moonlight, and tonight's viewing window.
👀 Best Viewing Window
9:16 PM CDT
to
11:59 PM CDT
Best after twilight, with moonlight and weather considered.
👀 Special Naked-Eye Sightings
☄️
Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS)
A bright comet is highlighted by NASA for April. Best chances are low in the sky around morning twilight; binoculars may help unless it brightens more than expected.
Where to look:
ENE (70°) • Very low, about 5–15° up • Morning twilight
You need a clear, low eastern horizon. Binoculars may help.
ENE (70°) • Very low, about 5–15° up • Morning twilight
You need a clear, low eastern horizon. Binoculars may help.
Naked eye: Possible under dark skies
☄️
Lyrid meteors
The Lyrids are still active. Look away from city lights after midnight; no telescope needed.
Where to look:
NE (45°) • 35–70° up • After midnight
Face northeast, then scan the darkest open sky.
NE (45°) • 35–70° up • After midnight
Face northeast, then scan the darkest open sky.
Naked eye: Yes
🪐
Venus near the Pleiades
Venus is easy to spot after sunset in the western sky. The Pleiades may be visible nearby under darker skies.
Where to look:
W (270°) • Low, about 10–25° up • After sunset
Look low in the western sky as twilight fades.
W (270°) • Low, about 10–25° up • After sunset
Look low in the western sky as twilight fades.
Naked eye: Yes
☄️
Lyrids — Near peak
One of the oldest known meteor showers. Best direction: northeast after midnight. Expected: 10–20/hr, occasional fireballs.
Where to look:
NE (45°) • 35–70° up • After midnight
Face northeast; meteors may streak across any part of the sky.
NE (45°) • 35–70° up • After midnight
Face northeast; meteors may streak across any part of the sky.
Naked eye: Yes
🪐
Venus
Bright Venus may be visible around twilight when positioned away from the Sun. Check the western sky after sunset or eastern sky before sunrise depending on the season.
Where to look:
W or E (270°) • Low-to-mid sky • Twilight
Most often check west after sunset or east before sunrise.
W or E (270°) • Low-to-mid sky • Twilight
Most often check west after sunset or east before sunrise.
Naked eye: Yes
☄️
Eta Aquariids — Active
Better for southern latitudes, but a few meteors are possible. Best direction: east/southeast before dawn. Expected: low from Missouri.
Where to look:
ESE (112°) • 20–45° up • Before dawn
Look low-to-mid in the east-southeast before sunrise.
ESE (112°) • 20–45° up • Before dawn
Look low-to-mid in the east-southeast before sunrise.
Naked eye: Yes
⭐
Spring stars
Look for Leo high in the south and bright Arcturus rising in the east during the evening.
Where to look:
S to E (135°) • Mid-to-high sky • Evening
Leo is south; Arcturus rises east.
S to E (135°) • Mid-to-high sky • Evening
Leo is south; Arcturus rises east.
Naked eye: Yes
☄️ Comet Watch
Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS)
A bright comet is highlighted by NASA for April. Best chances are low in the sky around morning twilight; binoculars may help unless it brightens more than expected.
Where to look: ENE (70°) • Very low, about 5–15° up • Morning twilight
You need a clear, low eastern horizon. Binoculars may help.
You need a clear, low eastern horizon. Binoculars may help.
Visibility: Possible under dark skies
🌙 Moon
| Phase | 🌓 First Quarter |
| Illumination | 46% |
| Moon Age | 7 days |
☀️ Sun & Twilight
| Sunset | 7:41 PM CDT |
| Civil Dusk | 8:08 PM CDT |
| Astronomical Dusk | 9:16 PM CDT |
How This Page Picks Tonight's Targets
This page favors things a normal person can step outside and see without a telescope: meteor showers, bright planets, bright comets when available, bright moon/planet pairings, and seasonal naked-eye targets. Rare events are intentionally ranked higher than routine objects. Directions are approximate for Jackson, Missouri and are meant as simple naked-eye guidance.
Generated: 12:58 AM CDT. Comet and rare-event entries use a curated list that should be updated when new bright events are announced.