Tonight's Night Sky

Daily naked-eye skywatching outlook for Jackson, Missouri — Thursday, November 12, 2026

🌌 Tonight's Sky Score

85/100
Excellent
Based on clouds, moonlight, and tonight's viewing window.

👀 Best Viewing Window

6:20 PM CST
to
11:59 PM CST
Best after twilight, with moonlight and weather considered.

👀 Special Naked-Eye Sightings

☄️
Northern Taurids — Peaking now
Low count but bright fireballs are possible. Best direction: east/southeast evening to midnight. Expected: low, fireballs possible.
Where to look:
ESE (112°) • 25–60° up • Evening to midnight
Face east-southeast and watch broad open sky.
Naked eye: Yes
☄️
Southern Taurids — Active
Low count but known for occasional bright fireballs. Best direction: east/southeast evening to midnight. Expected: low, fireballs possible.
Where to look:
ESE (112°) • 25–60° up • Evening to midnight
Face east-southeast and watch broad open sky.
Naked eye: Yes
☄️
Leonids — Active
Can occasionally surprise, but usually modest. Best direction: east after midnight. Expected: 10–15/hr.
Where to look:
E (90°) • 35–65° up • After midnight
Face east; meteors can appear away from the radiant too.
Naked eye: Yes
🪐
Evening planets
Jupiter and Saturn are often the easiest naked-eye planet targets in fall evenings when they are above the horizon.
Where to look:
SE to S (160°) • Mid sky • Evening
Bright steady points low-to-mid in the southeast or south are usually planets.
Naked eye: Yes
⭐
Fall sky
Pegasus is prominent in the evening sky, with the Andromeda Galaxy possible from darker locations.
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🌒 Waxing Crescent
Illumination8%
Moon Age2.6 days

☀️ Sun & Twilight

Sunset4:50 PM CST
Civil Dusk5:17 PM CST
Astronomical Dusk6:20 PM CST

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: 6:55 AM CST. Comet and rare-event entries use a curated list that should be updated when new bright events are announced.