THE MOON
Lunar Observing
The Moon is the best starting target. Even through binoculars you can see craters, mountains, and dark lunar seas (maria).
Best phase: First and last quarter — shadows give the most detail.
PLANETS
Bright Planets
Venus (brightest), Mars (reddish), Jupiter (with 4 moons), Saturn (rings visible in small telescopes).
Use apps to know when planets are visible in the evening or morning sky.
Jupiter and its Galilean moons are excellent targets even with modest equipment.
Deep Sky for Beginners
Start with the Pleiades, Orion Nebula, and Andromeda Galaxy (M31). These are visible with binoculars from moderately dark skies.