Altitude
0° is the horizon and 90° is the zenith. A very low planet can be hidden by haze, buildings, trees or mountains.
Observable sky
Planets visible tonight from your location
Enter a city or use your device location. DailyZodiac calculates which planets will be above the horizon during the dark part of the night, where to look and when they will be highest in the sky.
Find the planet
Point your phone toward a planet in the sky
This page does more than list visible planets. After you choose your location, DailyZodiac calculates the current azimuth and altitude of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. For every planet above the horizon, a “Point toward…” control appears and turns your phone into a pointer that helps you locate that real position in the sky.
The guide uses the device compass for direction and the inclinometer for altitude. Hold the phone in portrait mode and use its top edge like an arrow: turn left or right, then raise or lower the top until both direction and altitude match the planet. When alignment is reached, the compass turns green and, when supported, a short vibration confirms the pointing direction.
If a planet is below the horizon, pointing is not enabled. Its card says so clearly and still shows the next rise and set, apparent magnitude and the best time during the night to observe it.
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Choose your location
Enter a city or use device location to calculate your local sky.
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Choose a planet above the horizon
Open “Point toward…” on the card for the planet you want to find.
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Use the phone as a pointer
Follow the compass and tilt guidance until the phone's top edge aligns with the calculated planet position.
The feature requires HTTPS and a browser/device that exposes an absolute compass heading and orientation sensors. Magnetic cases, cars and metal structures can reduce accuracy.
Your observation
Where are you observing from?
Real visibility changes with latitude, longitude and time. The city is used only to obtain the correct coordinates and time zone.
Your location is used only for the requested calculation and is not retained by DailyZodiac.
Tonight's sky
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After civil twilight
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Sun now
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Good geometric conditions
Low on the horizon
Optical aid recommended
How to read the results
When is a planet actually observable?
Being above the horizon is not enough. The calculation therefore uses the dark part of the night and finds when each planet reaches its greatest altitude for the selected location.
Direction
Azimuth tells you where to look around the horizon: north, east, south, west and the directions in between.
Magnitude
Apparent magnitude measures brightness: smaller values, including negative numbers, indicate brighter objects.
Civil night
We use the period when the Sun is at least 6° below the horizon. This is a repeatable astronomical criterion, not a guarantee of a perfectly dark sky.
Before you go outside
The calculation cannot see clouds, haze or buildings
DailyZodiac calculates sky geometry and apparent planetary brightness. Weather, light pollution, terrain and local obstructions can make an observation difficult or impossible even when the geometry is favorable.
Frequently asked questions
Which planets are visible tonight?
It depends on your location and time. The calculation checks Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune during the dark part of the night.
Can I point my phone toward a planet to find it?
Yes, when the planet is above the horizon and the browser provides an absolute compass heading and orientation sensors. Open “Point toward…”, hold the phone in portrait mode and use the top edge as the pointer; the guide tells you how far to turn and raise or lower the device until it is aligned.
What determines whether a planet is visible?
Altitude, apparent brightness, sky darkness, weather, light pollution and local obstructions all matter.
What does best observing time mean?
It is the point during civil night when the planet reaches its greatest altitude above the horizon for the selected location.
Do I need a telescope to see the planets?
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be visible to the naked eye in suitable conditions. Uranus is very difficult without dark skies and Neptune normally requires optical aid.
