What To Look For
What you see in the night sky depends on your location, the season, and the time. A star chart can tell you what stars are visible from your location.
Planets orbit the Sun, so they change position when compared to the stars. A star chart will show you where to look for planets that are visible with the naked eye. The planet Venus, sometimes called the "evening star" or "morning star," is the second-brightest object in the night sky — only the Moon is brighter. Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn often are visible later at night than Venus. Planets reflect a steady light, unlike the "twinkling" stars, which are much farther from Earth.
The Moon is the most prominent object in the night sky. One half (or side) of the Moon is always lit by the Sun, but we can't always see the entire lighted part, which is what gives the Moon its phases. Most calendars show Moon phases, and many daily newspapers tell you when the Moon will rise and set.
Use our weekly stargazing tips and monthly Sky Almanac to plan your outings.
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