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The Brightest Planets and Stars in the Sky

Planets and stars appear in different parts of the sky depending on the time of night and the planets' positions relative to Earth. Visibility depends on the time of year and the location of the observation point. Under the right conditions the brightest stars and planets are easily visible without telescopes.

Venus
- Venus is the brightest planet in the night sky. Its cloudy atmosphere is a good reflector of sunlight, which makes the planet easily visible. It is sometimes called the evening star or morning star because it appears during early evening and predawn. Venus is visible most of the year except when it passes between Earth and the sun.
Jupiter
- Jupiter appears as a creamy-white shining object. It is the largest planet in the solar system and the second-brightest planet. It is visible without a telescope, and two of its moons are visible with a telescope. Depending on the time of year, Jupiter is visible in the early morning, evening or all night.
Mars and Saturn
- Backyard astronomers can view other planets from Earth with or without telescopes depending on the time of year and viewing conditions. Saturn is the second largest planet. It appears as bright as some of the brightest stars. Its rings and moons are visible with a telescope. Mars is difficult to see unless it passes very close to Earth. Far from Earth, it appears as a dull, red disk. Close to Earth it appears brighter than Jupiter.
Sirius
- Sirius, the Dog Star, is part of the constellation Canis Major. Four other stars are closer to our sun, but Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. It is at least twice as bright as other stars and 23 times brighter than the sun. Sirius is visible during winter months in the northern hemisphere.
Canopus
- Canopus is nearly 15,000 times brighter and 65 times larger than the sun. Its distance from Earth, 316 light-years, makes it the second-brightest star in the sky. Canopus is visible at latitudes south of 37 degrees north. It becomes easier to view farther south. Observers can find it during winter months, looking south and low on the horizon.
Alpha Centauri
- Alpha Centauri is a system of three stars that are the closest stars to Earth outside the solar system. The brightest star of this group, Alpha Centauri A, is similar to our sun in color but shines 1.5 times brighter. Alpha Centauri B is less bright. Alpha Centauri C is the closest to Earth of the three but is the faintest. Alpha Centauri is difficult to view in most of the northern hemisphere. It cannot be seen north of 28 degrees north latitude.

Astronomy