Bright star guide
Brightest Stars Visible Tonight
Start with the stars that are easiest to see from real skies: Sirius, Capella, Arcturus, Vega, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Altair, Antares, and other bright guide stars that anchor nearby constellations.
Tonight's sky snapshot
Brightest stars above the horizon right now
Based on United States (38.907, -77.037) at May 13, 2026, 06:35 PM UTC. Use your own location below for a more accurate view of your sky.
Moon and bright stars
MoonAlt 23 deg | Az 259 deg | 13% illuminated
SiriusAlt 29 deg | Az 149 deg | CMa guide star
CapellaAlt 82 deg | Az 30 deg | Aur guide star
RigelAlt 43 deg | Az 173 deg | Ori guide star
ProcyonAlt 40 deg | Az 121 deg | CMi guide star
BetelgeuseAlt 56 deg | Az 152 deg | Ori guide star
AldebaranAlt 67 deg | Az 191 deg | Tau guide star
PolluxAlt 53 deg | Az 94 deg | Gem guide star
DenebAlt 9 deg | Az 323 deg | Cyg guide star
Visible planets
VenusAlt 74 deg | Az 147 deg | High in the sky
MercuryAlt 61 deg | Az 232 deg | High in the sky
JupiterAlt 53 deg | Az 105 deg | High in the sky
Live sky check
Preview visible objects from your location
We will not request location on page load. Tap the button or enter coordinates to calculate nearby planets, the Moon, and bright stars for the current time.
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Use your location or enter coordinates to see which objects are above your horizon right now.
Move from bright stars to the full sky
Use these guides to compare stars with planets, the Moon, and constellation patterns.
What is visible tonight?
Check the Moon, visible planets, and bright guide stars together.
Open tonight’s sky guideInteractive star map
Learn how time and location change the sky above your horizon.
Read the star map guideConstellations visible tonight
Use bright stars as anchors for seasonal constellation patterns.
Learn tonight’s constellationsWhat “brightest stars visible tonight” means
The brightest stars are ranked by apparent magnitude, but visibility also depends on whether each star is above your horizon at the current date and time.
How to tell a bright star from a planet
Stars often twinkle because their light passes through moving air. Planets usually look steadier and stay near the path followed by the Moon and Sun. If an object is extremely bright and steady, check Venus and Jupiter before assuming it is a star.
Best bright stars to learn first
Sirius, Arcturus, Vega, Capella, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Altair, Antares, Aldebaran, and Spica are useful because they connect quickly to recognizable constellations.
How to use AR with bright stars
Open the AR viewer outside and match one bright real star before tracing constellation lines. A single reliable anchor makes the rest of the overlay easier to judge.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers for common skywatching questions before opening the AR viewer.
Is the brightest object in the sky always a star?
No. The Moon, Venus, and Jupiter can be brighter than any star. Compare the object with nearby constellations and the planet path before deciding.
Why can a bright star be missing from my sky?
It may be below your horizon, blocked by buildings, hidden by clouds or haze, or washed out by light pollution or moonlight.
Does this page request location automatically?
No. It shows an approximate snapshot first and only calculates your local sky when you choose to use location or enter coordinates.
Find the brightest stars in AR
Use one obvious star as your anchor, then trace nearby constellations and planets around it.