The night sky on the night of the sinking of the Titanic — 15 April 1912
Shortly before midnight on 14 April 1912 RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. She sank at about 2:20 a.m. ship's time on 15 April, and more than 1,500 people died. Survivors remembered a flat calm sea and a moonless sky crowded with stars.
The sky over North Atlantic, where RMS Titanic sank
This is the real sky above North Atlantic, where RMS Titanic sank (41.73°N, 49.95°W) on 15 April 1912 at 02:20 ship's time (about UTC−2:58) — the moment Titanic went under (1912-04-15 05:18 UTC). The Sun was 32° below the horizon: it was full night. The Moon (waning crescent, 6% lit) was below the horizon. Planets above the horizon: Jupiter (23° in the south-east). Brightest named stars up: Arcturus, Vega, Altair, Spica and Antares.
Make the sky of YOUR date
Every night has its own sky. Pick your city and your date — the night you met, a birth, a wedding — and see the real stars above it, free.
Want this night on your wall? Make a print-ready A3 star-chart poster of 15 April 1912 — 4.99.
All 75 historic night skies · The night sky on your birthday