♆ Neptune today
Neptune today (2026-05-01): apparent position RA 3.53°, Dec 0.09°, 30.672 AU from Earth, magnitude 7.94. Computed live via VSOP87D.
♆ Neptune at 2026-05-01T08:22:59Z UTC
Apparent equatorial coordinates (geocentric)
| Right Ascension (RA): | 3.528025° (00:14:07) |
| Declination (Dec): | 0.090210° |
| Ecliptic longitude (lambda): | 3.273461° |
| Ecliptic latitude (beta): | -1.319634° |
| Mean obliquity: | 23.435867° |
Heliocentric position (Sun at center)
| Longitude L (helio): | 2.092435° |
| Latitude B (helio): | -1.354563° |
| Distance R (helio): | 29.881711701 AU |
| Distance (km): | 4,470,240,443 km |
Time scales
| UTC: | 2026-05-01 08:22:59 |
| JD UTC: | 2461161.849300 |
| JD TT: | 2461161.850168 |
| Delta T: | 75.075 s |
| tau (J2000 millennia): | 0.026329501 |
About Neptune
The position above was computed with the VSOP87D theory (Bretagnon & Francou 1988), the standard analytical theory of IMCCE/Bureau des Longitudes. Values are apparent geocentric, with iterative light-time correction (3 passes), ecliptic-to-equator conversion via mean obliquity (Meeus Eq. 22.2), and freely available through open source.
Typical precision: 1-3 arcsec in RA/Dec for the 1900-2100 window, with controlled degradation up to ~arc-min at the 4000 BC and 3000 AD extremes. For maximum precision, use JPL Horizons. See the precision page for numerical validation.
Other planets
See methodology, sources, precision, planets hub.