Stars Visible Tonight

Start with bright guide stars

Bright stars such as Sirius, Vega, Arcturus, Capella, Betelgeuse, Rigel, and Deneb are easier to identify than faint catalog stars. Which ones are visible depends on season, time, and latitude.

Why the east sky matters

Objects rise in the east and move west through the night. A star low in the east now may be higher later, while western objects may set behind buildings or trees.

Tell stars from planets

Stars keep fixed patterns inside constellations. Planets move slowly against those patterns and usually stay near the ecliptic path.

Use AR for confirmation

Open AR, aim upward slowly, and compare labels and constellation lines with the brightest real stars first. Manual alignment helps when the phone compass is slightly off.

How to apply this guide outside

Read the Stars Visible Tonight guide first, then choose one practical thing to verify in the real sky before opening the AR viewer.

Good AR observing is slow. Move the phone gradually, pause when labels appear, and compare one bright reference at a time.

If the overlay is slightly shifted, use the alignment controls before drawing conclusions from fainter labels or crowded areas.

Why the result changes by device

Different phones and browsers expose camera, compass, and motion data with different accuracy and timing.

The astronomy positions are calculated from time and location, while final screen alignment depends on sensor quality. This is why the app includes manual heading controls and object filters.