Learn the Sky: Constellations & Sky Navigation

The Constellations (IAU) – A clear, authoritative introduction to constellations and how the sky is officially divided—great context before you start using star charts and planning tools.

NOIRLab – The 88 Constellations Project – Free, high-resolution, downloadable constellation images for all 88 IAU constellations (excellent for learning shapes + star patterns).  

Sky & Telescope – Star-Finding with a Planisphere – A friendly introduction to the classic rotating star wheel (planisphere), why it’s still useful, and how to read it in minutes. 

Sky & Telescope – How to Use a Star Chart at the Telescope – Shows how to keep directions straight at the eyepiece and use charts effectively while observing through a scope. 

Lawrence Hall of Science – Star Wheels (Planispheres) – Printable planispheres (“star wheels”) for different latitudes/hemispheres; an easy, hands-on way to learn the sky. 

Plan For Tonight

Monthly Evening Sky Map (Skymaps.com) – Free monthly PDF sky map that shows the best things to look for this month, including planets, bright targets, and seasonal constellations.

Stellarium Web – Free browser planetarium: set your location and time, then learn what’s visible and where to look.

Heavens-Above – Excellent real-time sky chart and the best beginner-friendly tool for ISS/satellite pass predictions.

Timeanddate – Astronomy – Practical planning tool for twilight, Moon rise/set, and visibility timing for your location.

Sky & Telescope – Interactive Sky Chart – Interactive star chart showing constellation lines/boundaries and sky objects; great for learning the sky and confirming what you’re seeing.

Check Conditions

Clear Outside – Simple “go / no-go” astronomy forecast that highlights cloud cover, transparency, and seeing in one quick view.

Astrospheric – Astronomy-focused forecast with clear breakdowns that help you avoid nights with poor transparency or bad seeing.

Clear Sky Chart (Clear Dark Sky) – High-resolution hour-by-hour charts for clouds, transparency, seeing, and darkness for many locations.

Viewing the Night Sky: Eyes → Binoculars → First Telescope

Naked Eye (no equipment)

Astronomy with the naked eye (Royal Museums Greenwich) – Practical beginner tips for seeing the best night-sky sights using only your eyes (dark adaptation, light control, what to look for, and how to get oriented). 

I Didn’t Know That! Stargazing 101 (U.S. National Park Service) – A first-timer guide to a successful stargazing session (what to bring, protecting night vision, and how to make the most of your first outing). 

Binocular (best first “instrument”)

Binoculars for Astronomy: Ultimate Guide to Selecting and Buying (Sky & Telescope) – Clear guidance on what binocular specs matter for astronomy, what to buy, and how binoculars help you learn the sky quickly. 

Binocular Messier Observing Program (Astronomical League) – A structured “mission list” of classic objects you can observe using binoculars, designed specifically for beginners. 

Binocular Stargazing Catalog (Sky & Telescope) – A curated list of deep-sky targets visible in common handheld binoculars, great when you want “what should I look at next?” 

First Telescope (buying + first nights)

How to Choose a Telescope for Astronomy (Sky & Telescope) – A reputable first-telescope buyer’s guide that explains tradeoffs and helps beginners narrow choices without hype. 

How To Start with Your New Telescope (Sky & Telescope) – Step-by-step “first light” guidance: setup, basic operation, and how to avoid early frustration. 

Astronomy Tools – Field of View & Telescope Planning Calculators – A set of interactive calculators (FOV, eyepiece/camera framing, and equipment matching) that helps beginners understand what will “fit” in the view and compare telescope/eyepiece/camera combinations before buying or observing.

General (works with Naked Eye, Binoculars, or a Telescope)

Astronomy for Beginners: How to Get Started (Sky & Telescope) – A beginner roadmap for getting oriented in the sky, setting expectations for what you can see, and choosing a sensible next step (often binoculars first).

Free “Let’s Go Stargazing” Guide (PDF) (Sky & Telescope) – A printable starter kit with stargazing basics and a Moon map—ideal for your first few nights outside. 

Skywatching Tips From NASA – Practical advice on what binoculars and small telescopes do well, plus common-sense tips that help beginners succeed fast.

Tonight’s First Targets (Beginner-Friendly)

Objects in Your Sky: Deep Sky Objects (In-The-Sky.org) – Generates a practical list of bright deep-sky objects for your location and date/time, so beginners can focus on targets that are actually feasible from where they observe (note: can be slow to load).

Sky & Telescope – Top 10 Skywatching Targets – A beginner-friendly “what to look at” list with easy, high-reward objects and practical tips for finding them on your first night out.

timeanddate – Night Sky – Shows what’s visible tonight (Moon phase, planets, and sky highlights) with simple explanations—great for quick planning.

NASA / Hubble – Messier Catalog – Beginner-friendly list of bright deep-sky targets with great images and context.

Find Darker Skies

LightPollutionMap.info – Interactive sky-brightness map; the fastest way to understand what your backyard can realistically show.

International Dark-Sky Association – Plain-language explanation of light pollution and a directory of dark-sky places worth traveling to.

The Moon (Best First Target)

Timeanddate – Moon Phases – Monthly lunar phase calendar so you can plan around bright Moon nights.

Virtual Moon Atlas – Free lunar atlas that helps you identify craters and features at the eyepiece or in binoculars.

Interactive Lunar Map (Cseligman) – Clickable Moon map for quickly naming and learning major lunar features.

The Planets

In-The-Sky.org – Objects in Your Sky: Planets – Shows which planets are visible from your location, when they rise/set, and where to look—one of the fastest “what can I see tonight?” planning tools. 

timeanddate – Night Sky (Moon + planets + highlights) – A simple “tonight at a glance” view (Moon phase, planet visibility, and sky highlights) that’s great for quick planning.

NASA Solar System Exploration – Jupiter Overview – What Jupiter is, what makes it special, and what you’re actually looking at when you see cloud bands and moons. 

NASA Solar System Exploration – Saturn Overview – A clean, authoritative overview to pair with your first ring view (and what you might see depending on conditions).

BBC Sky at Night Magazine – See Jupiter and its Galilean moons – Practical guidance for spotting Jupiter and its four bright moons (even with binoculars), plus what to expect as you move up to a telescope.

BBC Sky at Night Magazine – Guide to observing Saturn with a telescope – Clear expectations for Saturn’s rings and what detail you can realistically see, with tips for best results at the eyepiece.

BBC Sky at Night Magazine – Visible planets in the night sky tonight – A regularly-updated, planet-by-planet “what’s visible now” guide with quick observing notes.

Premium Picks (worth paying for)

If you buy only one book: Turn Left at Orion. If you want a broader reference, The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide.

Turn Left at Orion (Amazon) – The best “what to observe and how to find it” book for beginners with a small telescope; practical charts and step-by-step guidance that gets you to real targets fast.

NightWatch (Official Site) – A highly approachable beginner handbook with strong sky orientation and realistic expectations for what you can see with binoculars and a first telescope.

The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide (Official Site) – A deeper, broader reference that stays useful as you gain experience; excellent for understanding equipment choices and building solid observing skills.

Sky & Telescope – Observing-focused magazine and website with consistently strong “what’s up this month” content, practical guides, and equipment coverage.

Astronomy Magazine – Broad mix of observing, space science, and gear content that remains beginner-friendly while still offering depth as you progress.

BBC Sky at Night Magazine – High-quality hobby coverage with strong how-to articles, reviews, and beginner-accessible features (with a UK perspective on events and observing).

When you need help

Cloudy Nights – The most useful all-around astronomy forum; great for beginner gear questions and “what did I just see?” help.

Astronomical League – Club Finder – Find a local club; nothing accelerates learning like observing with experienced people.

Tip: If you want structured “what do I look at next?” guidance, the Astronomical League observing programs are excellent. You can join as part of many local astronomy clubs, and clubs often offer discounted League membership as an add-on (commonly a small annual fee—varies by club). 

Go Deeper!

Astronomy Fundamentals (full concept library + your larger book/magazine lists)

Observing & Sky Events (all planning tools, trackers, events)

Targets, Catalogs & Databases (when they want to identify objects properly)

Astro Community (forums, organizations, clubs)

If you Want Photos

Go to Start Here: Beginner Astrophotography