When Is M78 Visible During the Year?

See how M78 visibility changes through the year from your location. The graph shows its seasonal observing windows, while the table gives rise, transit and set times for selected dates.

M78 will remain visible until April 17, when it moves too close to the Sun and temporarily disappears from the night sky.

Best Months to See M78

Based on the amount of time M78 is above the horizon during dark or twilight hours, the strongest observing months in the next year are December 2026, January 2027, November 2026.

M78 Visibility Throughout the Year

M78 visibility on 2026-10-05

M78 Visible from before midnight until sunrise

M78 rise and set timetable

	Time	Elevation
Moonset	13:37	-40°
Astronomical observing session begins	18:12	-42°
M78 rise	21:58
Moonrise, 34% illuminated	22:25	5°
Astronomical observing session ends	03:40	53°
M78 transit	03:57	53°
Twilight end (−12°)	04:10	53°
Civil sunrise	04:40	51°
Sunrise	05:08	49°
M78 set	09:56

Track M78 position throughout the night

← 5 October 2026 →

Time
Altitude
Azimuth

Shift the map to change the time and observe M78 changing position in the night sky.

M78 Rise, Transit and Set Times by Date