The night sky on the night of VE Day — 8 May 1945
On 8 May 1945 the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe Day, after Germany's unconditional surrender. Winston Churchill announced the end of the war in Europe in a radio broadcast that afternoon, and vast crowds filled Trafalgar Square and The Mall. That evening Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret slipped out of Buckingham Palace to join the celebrations.
The sky over Buckingham Palace, London, England
This is the real sky above Buckingham Palace, London, England (51.50°N, 0.14°W) on 8 May 1945 at 22:00 British Double Summer Time (UTC+2) that night (1945-05-08 20:00 UTC). The Sun had just set (4° below the horizon), so only the brightest stars and planets showed in the twilight. The Moon (waning crescent, 13% lit) was below the horizon. Planets above the horizon: Jupiter (44° in the south) and Saturn (32° in the west). Brightest named stars up: Arcturus, Vega, Capella, Procyon and Betelgeuse.
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