What Planets Are Visible Tonight? July 2026 Sky Guide
Want to know which planets are visible tonight? Here’s a regularly updated guide to the visibility of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Below, you’ll find which planets can be seen now, when to look for them, and how to identify them in the sky.
👉 To locate each planet from your location, open the free Star Walk 2 app and use the Planet Walk mode.
Contents
- What planets are visible tonight? (July 1–15, 2026)
- Planets visible tonight from the US
- Best planet-watching dates: July 1–15, 2026
- Evening planets: Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury
- Morning planets: Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune
- What is the bright star in the west after sunset?
- What is the bright planet before sunrise?
- Planets visible tonight FAQ
- Tips on how to see the planets: bottom line
What planets are visible tonight? (July 1–15, 2026)
From July 1 to 15, 2026, Venus is the easiest planet to see in the evening sky. Look low in the west shortly after sunset for a brilliant, steady point of light.
Jupiter and Mercury are also nearby in the evening sky at the beginning of July, but both are difficult to observe. Jupiter sits very low in bright twilight and becomes harder to see each evening. Mercury is even trickier: it stays close to the Sun and reaches inferior solar conjunction on July 13, so it is not a good target around mid-July.
Before sunrise, Saturn is the best planet to observe. Mars is also visible in the morning sky and is especially interesting in early July, when it appears close to Uranus and the Pleiades. Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or a telescope, and a dark, clear sky.
For the most accurate result, check your local sky in Star Walk 2: planet visibility depends on your location, horizon, and time zone.
| Latitude | Mercury | Venus | Mars | Jupiter | Saturn | Uranus | Neptune |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60°N and higher | ❌ | Low in the evening ⚠️ | Morning/twilight ⚠️ | Very low in the evening twilight ⚠️ | Morning/twilight ⚠️ | Morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
| 50°N | Early evening; not visible near July 13 ⚠️/❌ | Evening ✅ | Morning ✅ | Very low in the early evening ⚠️ | Late night/morning ✅ | Morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
| 40°N | Very difficult early evening; not visible near July 13 ⚠️/❌ | Evening ✅ | Morning ✅ | Very low in the early evening ⚠️ | Late night/morning ✅ | Morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
| 30°N | Early evening; not visible near July 13 ⚠️/❌ | Evening ✅ | Morning ✅ | Low in the early evening ⚠️ | Late night/morning ✅ | Morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
| 20°N | Early evening; not visible near July 13 ⚠️/❌ | Evening ✅ | Morning ✅ | Low early in the evening ⚠️ | Late night/morning ✅ | Morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
| Equator | Low in the early evening; not visible near July 13 ⚠️/❌ | Evening ✅ | Morning ✅ | Low in the early evening ⚠️ | Late night/morning ✅ | Morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
| 20°S | Low in the early evening; not visible near July 13 ⚠️/❌ | Evening ✅ | Morning ✅ | Low in the early evening, better early in the month ⚠️ | Late night/morning ✅ | Morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
| 40°S | Low in the early evening; not visible near July 13 ⚠️/❌ | Evening ✅ | Morning ✅ | Low in the early evening, better early in the month ⚠️ | Late night/morning ✅ | Low morning 🔭 | Morning 🔭 |
Legend:
- ✅ Easy or reasonable naked-eye target
- ⚠️ Difficult: low, short visibility window, or affected by twilight
- 🔭 Optical aid required or strongly recommended
- ❌ Not visible
This table shows general planet visibility by latitude. Visibility may vary depending on your city, horizon, twilight, weather, and light pollution.
Planets visible tonight from the US
This table shows which planets are worth looking for tonight from selected US cities. Visibility depends on your exact location, local horizon, weather, and light pollution.
| City | Evening sky | Morning sky | Best planet to see | Difficult targets | Not visible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Venus; Jupiter very low early in July | Saturn, Mars; Uranus and Neptune with optics | Venus | Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune | Mercury |
| Miami | Venus; Jupiter very low early in July | Saturn, Mars; Uranus and Neptune with optics | Venus | Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune | – |
| Houston | Venus; Jupiter very low early in July | Saturn, Mars; Uranus and Neptune with optics | Venus | Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune | – |
| Phoenix | Venus; Jupiter very low early in July | Saturn, Mars; Uranus and Neptune with optics | Venus | Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune | – |
| Los Angeles | Venus; Jupiter very low early in July | Saturn, Mars; Uranus and Neptune with optics | Venus | Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune | – |
| Seattle | Venus; Jupiter very low early in July | Saturn, Mars; Uranus and Neptune with optics | Venus | Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune | Mercury |
Across the US, Venus is the best evening planet in early July. Jupiter is only a low twilight target, and Mercury is not worth chasing around mid-July. Before sunrise, Saturn and Mars are the easiest planets to find with the naked eye.
Quick regional notes
-
Northern Europe: Venus is low in bright twilight; Saturn and Mars are morning targets.
-
Southern Hemisphere: Venus is easier in the evening; Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are better before dawn.
-
Tropics: Mercury and Jupiter may be possible early in the period, but both are low.
Best planet-watching dates: July 1–15, 2026
July 1–5: Try to catch Jupiter very low in the western sky shortly after sunset. It is bright, but it sets quickly and becomes harder to see each evening.
July 4–5: Mars passes very close to Uranus in Taurus, between the Pleiades and the Hyades. Mars is visible to the naked eye before dawn, but Uranus requires binoculars or a telescope.
July 7: Look for Saturn near the Last Quarter Moon before sunrise. Saturn will look like a steady yellowish dot near the Moon.
July 9: Venus passes close to Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. Look low in the west after sunset. Venus will be much brighter than Regulus.
July 11: A thin crescent Moon appears near Mars and Uranus before dawn, with the Pleiades nearby. Mars and the Moon are the easiest targets; binoculars will help you see Uranus and the star cluster. We included this event in the list of the best astronomical events of 2026, so it is definitely worth your attention.
July 13: Mars appears near Aldebaran, the bright reddish star in Taurus.
July 14: New Moon. The Moon itself is not visible, but the darker sky makes this a good time to observe fainter objects away from city lights.
July 15: The young Moon passes near Jupiter, but the pair will be very low in bright twilight and difficult to observe.
Evening planets: Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury
Venus: the easiest planet to see tonight
Venus is the best evening planet from July 1 to 15, 2026. Look low in the western sky shortly after sunset. If you see a very bright, steady “star” in the evening, it is probably Venus.
Venus is much brighter than the stars and is visible even in twilight. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope to see it. On July 9, Venus passes close to Regulus, making a beautiful naked-eye pairing in Leo.
Jupiter: bright, but very low
Jupiter technically appears in the evening sky at the beginning of July, but it is not an easy target. It sits very low in bright twilight and sets soon after the Sun.
If you want to try, look west shortly after sunset during the first days of July. Venus will be much easier to see; Jupiter will appear closer to the horizon. By mid-July, Jupiter becomes very difficult to see, and later in the month, it disappears in the Sun’s glare.
Mercury: not a good target in early July
Mercury is very difficult to see from July 1 to 15, 2026. At the beginning of the month, it sets soon after the Sun; by mid-July, it is too close to the Sun to observe.
Mercury reaches inferior solar conjunction on July 13, so don’t plan Mercury observations around this date. If you use binoculars, only use them after the Sun has completely set — never point optics near the Sun.
Morning planets: Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune
Saturn: the best planet before sunrise
Saturn is the best morning planet in early July 2026. Look toward the eastern to southeastern sky before sunrise. It will appear as a steady yellowish dot and is bright enough to see with the naked eye.
On July 7, the Moon will pass near Saturn — so the yellow dot near our natural satellite around that time is most certainly Saturn.
Mars: visible before dawn
Mars is visible before sunrise in Taurus. It is not as bright as Venus, Jupiter, or Saturn, but its reddish color helps it stand out.
Early July is a good time to find Mars because it passes close to Uranus and the Pleiades. On July 11, the crescent Moon will also appear nearby, and on July 13, Mars will pass near Aldebaran.
Uranus: easier to find near Mars
Uranus is visible in the morning sky, but you’ll need binoculars or a telescope to see it. In early July, Mars can help you locate Uranus because the two planets appear very close together in Taurus.
Under dark skies, use Mars as your guide, then scan the area nearby with binoculars. Uranus will look like a faint blue-green dot.
Neptune: optical aid required
Neptune is also in the morning sky, but it is too faint to see with the naked eye. You’ll need binoculars or a telescope, a dark sky, and a stargazing app to know where to point your optics.
Saturn can help you find the general area of Neptune in Pisces, but Neptune itself will remain a faint target.
What is the bright star in the west after sunset?
The bright “star” in the west after sunset is most likely Venus. Venus is the brightest planet and the easiest object to notice in the evening sky.
In early July, Jupiter may also be low in the west after sunset, but Venus is much brighter and easier to spot. If the object is very bright, steady, and visible soon after sunset, it is probably Venus.
What is the bright planet before sunrise?
The brightest planet before sunrise is Saturn. Look toward the eastern to southeastern sky before dawn. Mars is also visible in the morning sky, but it stays lower and appears dimmer.
How to find & identify planets in the sky
Most novice astronomers believe that astronomy is an expensive hobby requiring a fancy telescope. But the irony is that beginner-level astronomy is not only inexpensive but actually free.
Most planets are bright enough to spot with the naked eye, even from a city center. Equipment only deepens your experience; it’s not required to recognize the dots in the sky. In the next few minutes, you’ll learn exactly how to find Solar System planets tonight — no gear needed.
Look for the brightest and biggest dots in the sky
Venus and Jupiter are the brightest dots in the sky, easily visible to the naked eye; Mars sometimes outshines stars, too. Furthermore, planets appear larger than stars in the sky, even though stars are way bigger in reality. Stars just look smaller because they’re much farther away.
So it’s simple — the most outstanding bright dot in the sky is most likely a planet.
Astronomers use a magnitude scale to measure an object’s apparent brightness. On this scale, brighter objects have lower or even negative numbers. For example:
- Sun: mag -26.5
- Full Moon: mag -12.6
- Venus: mag -4.3 (brightest planet)
- Jupiter: mag -2.7 (second-brightest planet)
- Sirius: mag -1.44 (brightest night-sky star)
Average magnitudes for other planets:
- Mercury: 0.2
- Mars: 0.7
- Saturn: 0.5
- Uranus: 5.7 (usually requires binoculars)
- Neptune: 7.8 (requires binoculars or telescope)
Unlike stars, the brightness of planets changes depending on their position relative to Earth and the Sun.
If it twinkles, it’s not a planet
Earth’s turbulent atmosphere makes distant starlight shimmer and twinkle, whereas planets — being much closer — shine with a steady light. So, a bright non-twinkling point in the sky near the ecliptic is almost certainly a planet.
For the full explanation of why stars twinkle, see our detailed article.
Look for planets near the Moon
One of the easiest ways to locate a planet is to use a bright guide that everyone can easily find in the sky — the Moon. Each month, planets pass close to our natural satellite in the sky — astronomers call this a close approach. So, a bright, not twinkling “star” near the Moon is most likely a planet!
To learn when a planet passes near the Moon the next time, check our regularly updated article.
Aim for planetary pairings or planetary alignments
From time to time, planets appear very close together in the sky. A bright planet can become your guide to a fainter one, like when Venus passes close to Uranus. But when both planets are bright, it becomes a spectacular sight to the naked eye.
Even more striking are planetary alignments, which happen when three or more planets cluster together in the same part of the sky. Alignments offer a great opportunity to see several planets at once.
A planetary alignment was last visible in June 2026, and the next time the planets will line up is in August 2026. Around August 12, six planets — Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune — will appear together across the morning sky.
Learn more: Planetary Alignment in August 2026
To find planets, look along the Sun’s path
All planets roughly follow the same path the Sun takes across the sky each day — it’s represented by ecliptic.
Here's how to easily find it:
- Observe where the Sun rises, moves during the day, and sets.
- Use your imagination to connect these points to form an imaginary line.
At night, look along this line — planets always appear close to it. Mercury and Venus always stay relatively close to the Sun in the sky, so you can find them near sunrise or sunset (we’ll explain why later in the section dedicated to the planets).
Important: Never look directly at the Sun — it can permanently damage your eyes!
Remember, the ecliptic shifts during the year, appearing higher in summer and lower in winter.
Planets are “wanderers”
Another way to confirm whether you are looking at a planet or a star is to observe its position over several successive nights. You’ll see how the positions of the planets change relative to the backdrop of the fixed stars from night to night.
Use an interactive star map
After you’ve practiced spotting planets on your own, an app can confirm your finds. The free Star Walk 2 features a Planet Walk mode that highlights every planet and makes it easier to distinguish them from stars. Simply open Settings, choose Planets, then tap Planet Walk. You’ll get a live map with every planet highlighted, plus a bottom panel that lets you jump straight to each planet.
If you’d like alternatives, try Night Sky, Sky Safari, or Stellarium. Some apps are entirely free, others require payment upfront, and many offer extra features via in-app purchases. For a quick comparison of what each app offers at no charge, see our article about Top Astronomy Apps 2026.
Planet-by-planet observing tips
Mercury: the elusive planet
Mercury is an inner planet that orbits closer to the Sun than the Earth. This means that in our sky, this planet is never far from the Sun; the maximum distance between them ranges from 18° to 28°. In astronomy, this is called a greatest elongation, and it’s the best time for viewing inner planets. In one year, Mercury reaches a greatest elongation only about six times.
To find Mercury, look low on the western horizon just after sunset or low in the east just before sunrise. How to learn if it’s visible in the morning or in the evening tonight (or not visible at all)? The free Star Walk 2 app shows the daily visibility of the planet.
Begin observing as soon as Mercury appears; follow it through its peak separation; and watch until it slips back into the Sun’s glare. You’ll have a short observation window — probably about 30 minutes (depends on your latitude and time of the year). A small telescope will reveal Mercury’s tiny disk and its phases — just be sure the Sun has fully set before aiming your optics.
Mercury is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most surprising planets in the Solar System. Take the quiz and see how much you really know about this mysterious small planet!
Venus: the evening and morning star
Venus is the most spectacular planet you can see with the naked eye. Blanketed by highly reflective clouds, Venus appears exceptionally bright in our sky, visible even in daytime around its peak brightness.
By the way, like the Moon, Venus goes through phases, and reaches its peak brightness around the crescent phase. This is because in this phase Venus is much closer to Earth than at other times and reflects more sunlight our way. You can see phases of Venus through binoculars (typically 10x50 or with higher magnification).
Like Mercury, Venus is an inner planet and also never appears very far from the Sun in our sky. For comparison, Mercury's maximum apparent distance from the Sun is about 28°, Venus's is 48°, and Jupiter's (as well as other outer planets') is 180°.
Venus is the brightest planet in the sky. When it appears close to the Moon — the brightest object in the night sky — they create a stunning sight, even in light-polluted city skies. To find the next Moon-Venus pairing, see our regularly updated article.
Because Venus is so brilliant, many people mistake it for an airplane — or even a UFO. However, people in general have a rich imagination and often mistake many objects for aliens. Check out our infographic to see some man-made objects that have been mistaken for UFOs!
Mars: the red planet
Mars’ rusty glow makes it hard to miss — even from a brightly lit city. Its apparent brightness changes with its position in the Solar System, peaking at opposition, which occurs roughly every 27 months when Earth lies directly between Mars and the Sun.
Around its next opposition on February 19, 2027, Mars will reach its peak brightness and largest apparent size. By July 2027, it will fade by six times and "shrink" to about one-third of its size in February!
With binoculars mounted on a tripod, you’ll see a small, round orange disk. A telescope will reveal surface details, most notably the white polar caps.
By the way, you might want to take a closer look at Mars. Of all the planets, it’s considered the best suited for colonization. Take our quiz to find out how much you know about the planet where your descendants might live!
Jupiter: the largest planet with visible moons
Jupiter is the biggest planet in our Solar System and one of the brightest objects in the night sky. After Venus, it usually ranks second-brightest planet — once Venus sets, Jupiter becomes the brightest one, making it easy to spot with the naked eye, binoculars, or a small telescope. Jupiter will become brighter by the end of 2026 as it approaches opposition with the Sun on February 11, 2027.
Even a small telescope lets you feel like Galileo Galilei as you observe Jupiter and its four largest satellites — Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto — known as the Galilean moons. Under clear, dark skies, binoculars can also reveal one or two of these moons, which shift position nightly. To locate them on any given evening, try the Star Walk 2 app (requires an in-app purchase for this object type) or the Sky Tonight app, where all space objects are available for free.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Jupiter can sometimes be mistaken for Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. From December to March, Sirius rises particularly high in the sky, so it’s no surprise that some confuse these two bright dots. But don’t make the same mistake and remember: stars twinkle, and planets do not! Besides, Sirius lies far from the ecliptic.
If you were hoping to see the famous Great Red Spot — a vast storm on Jupiter — we might disappoint you. You’ll need 150–200× magnification and exceptionally steady, transparent viewing conditions.
As you know, Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System. But just how big is it? How many Earths would fit inside this gas giant? Take our quiz and find out!
Saturn: the golden king of the rings and moons
Saturn, the fifth-brightest planet in our sky, glows with a distinctive yellow-gold hue that makes it a standout even before you use a telescope. To find it, look for a steady yellowish point of light (fainter than Venus or Jupiter).
With any small telescope, Saturn’s famous rings are unmistakable. Even at low magnification, you’ll see the broad banding of the rings and the dark Cassini Division. When Saturn reaches quadrature — when it’s 90° from the Sun — you can even spot the planet’s shadow cast onto its rings.
Through a telescope, you can also glimpse Titan, Saturn’s brightest moon. With larger apertures, additional moons — Rhea, Dione, Tethys, and Enceladus — come into view, each appearing as tiny, steady points of light close to the planet.
We think that the true king of the rings and moons hides many secrets that you definitely don't know yet. Take this quiz to prove us wrong!
Uranus: a pale blue dot
Uranus is extremely faint, and spotting it without a telescope is virtually impossible. Even through a small telescope, it appears as a tiny, pale blue circle that blends into the background stars. To distinguish it with the naked eye, you need dark skies — Bortle 5 or darker — and precise coordinates.
The most convenient way to hunt Uranus is when it lies near a bright reference object, like the Moon or Venus. Keep in mind, though, that the nearby Moon can easily outshine Uranus’s faint glow.
Most amateur telescopes cannot resolve Uranus’s rings or surface details. However, medium to large instruments may reveal the planet’s two largest moons — Titania and Oberon — as faint, separate points of light.
Neptune: the farthest planet from the Sun
Neptune is the most challenging planet to observe. You need binoculars or a telescope, as well as a bright guide, such as Venus, to locate it. When Neptune is close to a well-known object, you can use it to spot Neptune as a small, pale dot (obviously, you will need binoculars). Its rings and surface details are beyond the reach of amateurs. You can distinguish its color with binoculars if you have keen eyesight, or with an amateur telescope. With a medium-to-large telescope and excellent viewing conditions, you may be able to glimpse its largest moon, Triton, as a faint point of light.
Planets visible tonight FAQ
Which planets are visible tonight?
From July 1–15, 2026, Venus is the easiest evening planet to see after sunset — look for it low in the west. Before sunrise, Saturn is the best planet to observe, with Mars also visible. For your exact location, use Star Walk 2 to check what is above your horizon right now.
Why don’t planets twinkle like stars?
Planets usually shine with steadier light than stars because they are much closer to Earth and appear as tiny disks rather than pinpoints. If a bright object near the ecliptic does not twinkle much, it may be a planet.
Can I see Uranus or Neptune with the naked eye?
Uranus is technically visible to the naked eye under very dark skies, but it is extremely faint and easy to miss. You’ll need excellent observing conditions and a clear idea of exactly where to look. Neptune is too faint to see with the naked eye and requires binoculars or a telescope.
How do I know if I’m looking at Venus or Jupiter?
Venus is usually much brighter than Jupiter and often appears low above the horizon shortly after sunset or before sunrise. Jupiter is also very bright, but it can stay visible for a longer part of the night and may appear higher in the sky, depending on the season. Both shine with a steady light and don’t twinkle much like stars.
To identify them with certainty, point your phone at the object using Star Walk 2.
Why does planet visibility depend on my location?
Planet visibility depends on your location because the sky looks different in different parts of the Earth. Your latitude affects how high planets rise above the horizon, while your longitude and time zone determine when they rise and set. Local conditions also matter: buildings, mountains, trees, light pollution, and weather can hide a planet even when it is technically above the horizon.
Tips on how to see the planets: bottom line
You don't need expensive equipment to explore our Solar System — just step outside and look along the ecliptic for the brightest "dots" in the sky. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are easily visible to the naked eye, and Mercury's visibility depends on the time of day and your location. You can also use the Moon or the planets' pairings as a guide. Remember, planets shine with a steady light, unlike stars. For extra help, use the free Star Walk 2 app to instantly identify planets in real time.
More planet events
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