Moon & Planets

The Moon and planets, exactly as they are tonight.

A photoreal 3D Moon lit the way you see it, and a solar system with every planet where it really is, for any date from 1900 to 2100. Beautiful to explore, and the quickest way to know what that bright light is.

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Named lunar features
~135
Landing sites
15
Years covered
1900–2100
The 3D solar system showing every planet where it is today, with the planets and moons panel.
The 3D Moon at first quarter with named features labelled, and tonight’s altitude, rise and set times.

01The Moon

Every crater, lit as it is right now.

The Moon turns, tilts and lights up exactly as it does from where you stand, from colour maps up to 8K with an optional relief layer. Follow the phases, see the next quarter, perigee and eclipse, and find the best features to look at tonight.

  • About 135 named features, including 15 Apollo and Luna landing sites
  • Labels shaded by whether each feature is in sunlight
  • Phases, perigee and apogee, upcoming lunar eclipses
  • Rise, set and the best time to look
The 3D Moon at first quarter with named features labelled, and tonight’s altitude, rise and set times.

02The solar system

Every planet, where it really is.

Spin through the solar system on any date between 1900 and 2100. Sizes are true to scale, distances compressed so it all fits. Compare planets side by side, look up any world, and see where to find each one from your sky.

  • Real positions for any date
  • Every solar and lunar eclipse
  • Compare sizes, and a find-it quiz
  • Moons of the outer planets, when you want them
The 3D solar system showing every planet where it is today, with the planets and moons panel.

03Rule things out

That bright light might be Venus.

Planets and the Moon are behind many of the strange lights people report. The same models that draw these scenes check every Sighted report, so you can see in seconds what was up where you looked.

How identification works

Often mistaken

  • VenusBrightest after the Moon; low, steady and whitePlanet
  • JupiterBright for months, high in the nightPlanet
  • The MoonThrough cloud or low on the horizonMoon
  • MarsReddish and bright near oppositionPlanet

Built on

Real astronomy, rendered live.

Positions and phases come from the same ephemeris model used across Sighted.

Ephemeris
astronomy-engine

High-precision Sun, Moon and planet positions.

Moon maps
Up to 8K

Colour and relief, loaded as you zoom.

Lunar names
IAU gazetteer

About 135 features, with landing sites.

Date range
1900–2100

For the solar system and eclipses.

Questions

About the Moon and planets

Is the Moon shown as I would see it?

Yes. It is lit from the Sun’s true direction for that moment, turned and tilted the way it appears from where you are, so the terminator and the features near it match what you see through binoculars.

Which landing sites are marked?

The Apollo and Luna landing sites, among about 135 named features from the IAU gazetteer. Labels dim when a feature is in darkness.

How accurate is the solar system?

Planet positions are computed for any date from 1900 to 2100. Sizes are true to scale; distances are compressed so everything fits on one screen.

Why is this on a UAP tracker?

Because bright planets and the Moon are behind a lot of strange lights. Knowing where Venus or Jupiter is tonight is often the fastest way to rule something in or out.

Keep exploring

More ways to watch the sky.

Tonight’s Moon

Look up. Then look closer.

Create a free account Members: open the Moon