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# plot_sky

`astroplan.plots.``plot_sky`(target, observer, time, ax=None, style_kwargs=None, north_to_east_ccw=True, grid=True, az_label_offset=<Quantity 0. deg>, warn_below_horizon=False, style_sheet=None)

  Plots target positions in the sky with respect to the observer’s location.

  If a `Axes` object already exists, plots an additional target position on top. Otherwise, creates a new `Axes` object with a sky plot.

  Can pass in a scalar `Time` object (e.g. `Time('2000-1-1')`) or an array of length one (e.g. `Time(['2000-1-1'])`) to get plot at one instance in time. If pass in an `Time` object with multiple instances of time (e.g. `Time(['2000-1-1 20:00:00', '2000-1-1 20:30:00'])`), target’s position will be shown at each of these times.

  For examples with plots, visit the documentation of Sky Charts.

  Parameters
    target `FixedTarget`

      The celestial body of interest.

    observer `Observer`

      The person, telescope, observatory, etc. doing the observing.

    time `Time`

      If pass in an `Time` object with just one instance in time, whether it be a scalar or an array (e.g. `Time('2000-1-1')`, `Time(['2000-1-1'])`, `[Time('2000-1-1')]`), `plot_sky` will return plot at one instance in time. If pass in an `Time` object with multiple instances in time (e.g. `Time(['2000-1-1', '2000-1-2'])`) will show positions plotted at the exact times specified.

    ax `Axes` or None, optional.

      The `Axes` object to be drawn on. If None, uses the current `Axes`.

    style_kwargs dict or None, optional.

      A dictionary of keywords passed into `scatter` to set plotting styles.

    north_to_east_ccw bool, optional.

      True by default, meaning that azimuth is shown increasing counter-clockwise (CCW), or with North at top, East at left, etc. To show azimuth increasing clockwise (CW), set to False.

    grid bool, optional.

      True by default, meaning that grid is drawn.

    az_label_offset`~astropy.units.degree`, optional.

      DANGER: It is not recommended that you change the default behavior, as to do so makes it seem as if N/E/S/W are being decoupled from the definition of azimuth (North from az = 0 deg., East from az = 90 deg., etc.). An offset for azimuth labels from the North label. A positive offset will increase in the same direction as azimuth (see `north_to_east_ccw` option).

    warn_below_horizon bool, optional

      If `False`, don’t show warnings when attempting to plot targets below the horzion.

    style_sheet dict or `None` (optional)

      matplotlib style sheet to use. To see available style sheets in astroplan, print astroplan.plots.available_style_sheets. Defaults to the light theme.

  Returns
    An `Axes` object (ax) with a map of the sky.

  Notes

  Using `Time` objects:

    See Astropy documentation for more details.

  Coordinate defaults:

  > Altazimuth (local horizon) coordinate system. North is always at top of plot, South is always at the bottom, E/W can be right or left depending on the `north_to_east_cw` option.

  > Altitude: 90 degrees (zenith) is at plot origin (center) and 0 degrees (horizon) is at plot edge. This cannot be changed by user.

  > Azimuth: 0 degrees is at North (top of plot), 90 degrees at East, etc. DANGER: Azimuth labels can be changed by user via the `az_label_offset` option, but it is not recommended, as to do so makes it seem as if N/E/S/W are being decoupled from the definition of azimuth (North from az = 0 deg., East from az = 90 deg., etc.).