By Lou Farrell 
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If you look up into the night sky, you’ll likely not understand what you see. You could see a rogue plane, a lightly blinking star or even the Milky Way, if you’re lucky. What might be less obvious is a sneakily hidden constellation or even a planet, disguised as a very bright star. Boost your astronomy know-how with only a few tips. Then, you’ll be able to answer this question at almost any time — what planets are visible tonight near me?
There are several ways to get accurate astronomical information, depending on your tool preference. You can choose manual or technological solutions, which will help you become more familiar with what’s up in the night sky. Let’s start by figuring out what to use to find the planets.
Cameras have only gotten better on phones. They are sometimes better than standalone models. You can download apps that instruct you to lift your camera to the night sky, and it can find what is up there. It uses context alongside your geographical location to make the information as accurate as possible. Popular options include:
These apps vary in depth and how much information they provide. But, they identify stars, planets and, sometimes, other celestial objects, with no experience required.
If you want to research what planets are visible near you before you head outside, there are several websites to help. It can make the experience more immersive, because it will test your knowledge retention and make you focus more on the nuances of space without relying on an app. Check out:
These show maps and sky charts to help you orient yourself once you get outside. It can also let you know when cool celestial events are happening.
If you want the most involved and traditional experience, here are two main ways to learn how to identify planets and the stars in the night sky tonight.
Join a local astronomy club. Some natural organizations, nonprofits or libraries even offer free beginner classes or meetings for people who are interested. You don’t need to pay thousands of dollars for a collegiate course to learn. The people at these clubs could be local experts or amateurs like yourself. Regardless, they all have the same level of enthusiasm.
You can also use the Old Farmer’s Almanac. There are physical and digital versions of this. Learning how to identify the stars and planets without technology is super helpful if you love spending time in the great outdoors. It could help you navigate without a compass!
You can engage in planetary observations with a telescope or with the naked eye. There is no need to invest in fancy equipment if you’re a beginner. Sometimes, even binoculars can help you get a closer look. Test yourself to see what you can identify with nothing but your mind.
With the naked eye, you can see the following planets:
You might be able to view Saturn with the naked eye, but if you can, you can with a rudimentary telescope. You might need help adjusting the settings to see its rings in any detail.
Uranus and Neptune are unfortunately too far away to be visible. Larger telescopes can capture glimpses, especially with their signature colors. If you’re having trouble, you can always feel the experience of seeing them with the naked eye by going to a local planetarium.
You should know a couple of important tidbits before going outside:
Many of the aforementioned apps, websites and methods work for identifying what planets are visible tonight near you as well as stars and constellations. You can use them to see them in real time. Over repeated stargazing sessions, you’ll learn what times of year they are most visible in each direction.
Here are some of the most prominent from most locations in the U.S.:
However, many are location-dependent. The eastern U.S. can commonly see zodiac signs like Gemini and Leo, while the West may see something completely different.
You can also print off star charts from countless online resources. For more robust information, see what your local library has to offer. They may also recommend local observatories, where experts could guide you on your first stargazing quests.
However, stargazing is only effective if you have the right conditions. It won’t matter how powerful of a telescope you have. If you want to set yourself up for success, follow these best practices, which also help when looking for planets:
Use technology to your advantage. With a mixture of cameras, telescopes, apps and more, you’ll become a traveler of the night sky in no time. Don’t feel intimidated by star charts and academic astronomy resources, because they have all been translated into accessible formats. This way, everyone can feel empowered to learn more about what lies beyond.
Eventually, you’ll be able to tell what is around you based on the weather or time of year. Plus, by educating yourself about what planets and stars are nearby, you’ll have a better understanding of your place in the universe.
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