Tonight's Night Sky

Daily naked-eye skywatching outlook for Jackson, Missouri — Thursday, May 14, 2026

🌌 Tonight's Sky Score

92/100
Excellent
Based on clouds, moonlight, and tonight's viewing window.

👀 Best Viewing Window

9:42 PM CDT
to
11:59 PM CDT
Best after twilight, with moonlight and weather considered.

👀 Special Naked-Eye Sightings

🪐
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.
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.
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.
Naked eye: Yes

☄️ Comet Watch

No currently listed naked-eye comet for tonight. Most comets are too dim without binoculars or a telescope, so this box will only light up when one has a realistic chance.

🌙 Moon

Phase🌘 Waning Crescent
Illumination6%
Moon Age27.1 days

☀️ Sun & Twilight

Sunset7:59 PM CDT
Civil Dusk8:28 PM CDT
Astronomical Dusk9:42 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.

The cloud score now uses the selected current/tonight forecast period instead of scanning the entire forecast cache. That keeps future rain or the word "cloudy" inside "partly cloudy" from incorrectly dragging tonight down.

Generated: 3:21 AM CDT. Comet and rare-event entries use a curated list that should be updated when new bright events are announced.