Tonight from Chicago

Tonight in Chicago, United States, the sun sets at 18:42 local time and astronomical darkness — when even the faintest stars become visible — arrives at 20:15. The moon is in full phase, 98% illuminated. 5 major planets are above the horizon as night falls. Sunrise comes at 06:42.

At mid-latitudes, night length varies substantially with season; summer offers shorter darkness, winter the longest. Polaris sits roughly at this latitude above the northern horizon, making it a permanent compass for navigation. The Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, and the northern circumpolar stars never set.