Where is M78 right now?
M78 is located in the constellation Orion. It is currently above the horizon at an altitude of 53° toward the south, with an apparent magnitude of 8.00.
Twilight begins at 04:02 local time. At that moment, M78 will be 53° above the horizon toward the south.
Twilight begins at 04:02 local time. At that moment, M78 will be 53° above the horizon toward the south.
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.
Where and When to Look for M78 Tonight
The best observable position of M78 is near 04:00: 53° above the horizon toward the south. Status: Best view.
How M78 Moves Across the Sky
During this observing period, M78 moves from the north-west, reaches its highest sampled position at 53° toward the south, and finishes toward the north-west.
Astrometric and Physical Parameters of M78
| Constellation | Orion |
| Elevation | 53° |
| Direction | south (182°) |
| Magnitude | 8 |
M78 Passage Through Night
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Current position of M78
| Time | 04:02 |
| Latitude | 37.3541 |
| Longitude | -121.955 |
| Elevation | 53° |
| Azimuth | 182° |
Here you can see the current position of M78 on the map, as well as its positions for rise and set. This tool lets you track its movement throughout the night with accurate, up-to-date information.
M78 Position by Hour
Select a row to move both interactive maps to that time.
| Time | Elevation | Azimuth | Direction | Visibility | RA | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 5, 12:00 | -24° | 290° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 13:00 | -35° | 302° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 14:00 | -44° | 318° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 15:00 | -50° | 338° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 16:00 | -53° | 2° | north | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 17:00 | -50° | 25° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 18:00 | -43° | 45° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 19:00 | -33° | 60° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 20:00 | -22° | 72° | north-east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 21:00 | -11° | 82° | east | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 22:00 | 1° | 91° | east | Very low | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 5, 23:00 | 13° | 100° | east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 00:00 | 25° | 110° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 01:00 | 35° | 122° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 02:00 | 44° | 138° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 03:00 | 51° | 158° | south-east | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 03:41 — Astronomical night ends | 53° | 175° | south | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 04:00 | 53° | 183° | south | Best view | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 04:11 — Twilight end | 52° | 187° | south | Visible | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 04:41 — Civil sunrise | 51° | 199° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 05:00 | 50° | 206° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 05:09 — Sunrise | 49° | 209° | south-west | Twilight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 06:00 | 43° | 226° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 07:00 | 33° | 240° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 08:00 | 22° | 252° | south-west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 09:00 | 11° | 262° | west | Daylight | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 10:00 | -1° | 271° | west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 11:00 | -13° | 280° | west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |
| Oct 6, 12:00 | -25° | 291° | north-west | Below horizon | 05h 46m | +00° 04′ |