A beginner-friendly guide to planets and deep-sky objects that should be reasonably placed in the sky tonight. Start with the open section, then expand each category as you explore.
Planets are marked visible when they rise at least 10° above the horizon during tonight’s observing window.
Browse deep-sky objects that are visible from your location during tonight's observing window.
Increase this if trees, buildings, mountains, or light pollution make your horizon difficult to use.
Filters objects by approximate visual magnitude.
Dense groups of stars that are usually bright, forgiving, and rewarding in binoculars or small telescopes.
Clouds of glowing gas and dust. These can be spectacular, but some are better with dark skies or filters.
Small shells of gas from dying stars. Many are tiny but bright, making them good telescope targets.
Island universes beyond the Milky Way. Dark skies and moonless nights make a major difference.
