Brightest Planets and Stars in the Sky Tonight
Sky Map of the Brightest Stars and Planets
Although the Sun is up and the sky is bright, this page prepares you for the night ahead by showing the 10 brightest planets and stars that will become visible when darkness falls. Using accurate positional data, altitude, and azimuth for your location, we guide you on where each object will appear once night begins.
Each entry includes the object’s apparent magnitude and and expected position, helping you plan your evening observing session. Even though you cannot see them right now, this list serves as a roadmap for tonight’s sky, so you’ll know exactly where to look once the stars and planets emerge.
10 Planets and Stars
Venus
Visible from sunset through most of the night
With magnitude -4.3, Venus is the brightest object in the sky tonight. It is currently located in the southern sky.
Arcturus
Star
Arcturus, shining with magnitude -0.05, is the second brightest object. You can find it in the southeastern sky.
Vega
Star
Vega, with magnitude 0.03, is the third brightest object. It is located in the northeastern sky.
Altair
Star
Altair shines with a magnitude of 0.76, the fourth brightest object, located in the northeastern sky.
Spica
Star
Spica, the fifth brightest object with a magnitude of 0.98, currently located in the southeastern sky.
Antares
Star
Antares shines brightly with a magnitude of 1.06, the sixth brightest object, visible in the southeastern sky.
Deneb
Star
Deneb, with a magnitude of 1.25, is the seventh brightest object, located in the northeastern sky.
Shaula
Star
Shaula, with a magnitude of 1.62, is the eighth brightest object, found in the southeastern sky.
Alioth
Star
Alioth, shining with magnitude 1.76, is the ninth brightest object, located in the northeastern sky.
Kaus Australis
Star
Kaus Australis, visible in the southeastern sky with a magnitude of 1.79, closes the list as the tenth brightest object.