Mercury
0 / 31Nights with time to look
No suitable time is listed for this planet this month between 18:00 and 08:00. Try another planet; this does not mean it is always invisible.
October 2026 planets in Wellington
Wellington · NZ · October 2026
Find a planet, one step at a time
A planet can look like a star at first. Here is one to look for, with a local time and a direction to help you find it.
Your first step
- What to look for
- SaturnLook for a point of light. Recognising the planet is a good first goal.
- When to go
Night beginning Thu 29 Oct
Try around
Time available that night
- 6 h 30 min
- Where to look
- Look toward north, partway up the sky.
- What you need
- These five planets can be seen without a telescope in suitable conditions. Saturn’s rings need a telescope. Never aim binoculars or a telescope at the Sun.
All times are local to Wellington (Pacific/Auckland).
This choice reaches the highest position among the times calculated here. It is a starting point, not a brightness rating or a weather forecast.
A compass can help you find the direction. The horizon is the line where the sky meets the ground.
Before setting out, check the clouds and find a view clear of buildings and trees. These times do not guarantee what you will see.
Choose another planet
Each card gives you a time and a direction to try. The count tells you on how many nights this guide finds time to look.
Venus
0 / 31Nights with time to look
No suitable time is listed for this planet this month between 18:00 and 08:00. Try another planet; this does not mean it is always invisible.
Mars
0 / 31Nights with time to look
No suitable time is listed for this planet this month between 18:00 and 08:00. Try another planet; this does not mean it is always invisible.
Jupiter
0 / 31Nights with time to look
No suitable time is listed for this planet this month between 18:00 and 08:00. Try another planet; this does not mean it is always invisible.
Saturn
31 / 31Nights with time to look
A time to try this month
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.5°.
When to look that night
View this night - 6 h 30 min
Each suggested time is when that planet is highest among the times checked. Clouds and nearby obstacles can still hide it.
All 31 nights: open a date
Open a date for the full timetable. The date names the evening when the night begins; hours after midnight show the next date.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.7°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.7°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.6°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.6°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.7°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.8°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.8°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.9°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.9°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.9°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.8°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 46.9°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.1°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 8 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.1°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.1°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.1°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.1°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.2°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.3°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.3°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.3°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.3°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.2°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 7 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.3°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 6 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.4°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 6 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.4°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 6 h 30 min
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.5°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 6 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.5°.
Night beginning Planets with a window: 1 / 5
Mercury
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Venus
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Mars
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Jupiter
No suitable time is listed between 18:00 and 08:00. This does not rule out every possible sighting.
Saturn
- 6 h
Time to try this night
Look toward north, partway up the sky.
Exact position in degrees
Height above the horizon: 47.4°.
Optional: calculation details and sources
Sun centre at or below −12° · planet at least 15° high
Planet intervals are sampled every 30 elapsed minutes from 18:00 local time to 08:00 the following day. Both endpoint samples must have the Sun’s geometric centre at or below −12° and the planet’s apparent altitude at least 15°. The planet altitude includes the engine’s normal atmospheric refraction model.
Only adjacent qualifying samples are joined. Boundaries are approximate and rounded inward to the sample grid; shorter opportunities can be omitted. An empty result means no qualifying sampled interval, not that the object never rises.
Times use the city’s IANA time zone. Each endpoint carries its actual local date and zone label, including daylight-saving changes. Durations are elapsed time, so a clock change can make wall-clock subtraction misleading. A night is named for the date on which it begins.
Coordinates represent the listed city, not a verified observing site. Observer elevation uses the city record where available, otherwise 0 m. Sun and Moon altitudes use a geometric horizon without atmospheric refraction.
Cloud, haze, light pollution, buildings, terrain and actual atmospheric conditions are not modelled. Check the forecast and a clear horizon before making plans; these geometric windows do not promise visibility.
- Coordinates (latitude, longitude)
- -41.28664°, 174.77557°
- Local time zone
- Pacific/Auckland
Sources and data credits
- NASA: which planets you can see
- NASA: choosing a place to see stars
- NASA: observing Saturn and its rings
- Astronomy Engine: calculation documentation
- NOAA / NWS: twilight definitions
- GeoNames: city coordinates and time zones · CC BY 4.0
City records are selected from GeoNames data, licensed CC BY 4.0. Calculations use Astronomy Engine 2.1.19; the local sampling and presentation are by Starry Memory.
Find a planet with a simple plan: what to look for, when to go and where to look.
You do not need to know the constellations to start. The guide below suggests a planet, a local date and time, and a direction. Begin with that one target, or open another night to make your own plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does a calculated window guarantee visibility?
No. The times are calculated from the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets. Clouds, buildings, trees and bright lamps can still block or spoil the view. Check the forecast before leaving. Never look at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope.
Which clock and location do the tables use?
Use the local clock in the city named on this page. Each start and end time shows its own date, including after midnight or a clock change. Calculations use the city centre; a different observing spot can change the view.
Can I keep a memory of the sky?
You can explore the sky and optionally create a poster for a meaningful date and place. A star certificate is a symbolic entry in a private register, not ownership of a star or official astronomical naming.
✦ Personalised star certificate
For a person rather than a date: give them a star
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- Choose a real star and its name
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- Find it in the sky with your smartphone
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Symbolic dedication in the private Starry Memory registry. Depending on its brightness and the weather, you’ll see it with the naked eye, with binoculars, or find its direction.
Name a star: the certificate in detail
Rather the sky of a date and place? Create a star map · HD file €3.99