Stars twinkle and shimmer - hence, the song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. " Planets do not twinkle. They remain constant in their brightness and their overall appearance in the night sky. If viewed through a telescope, planets may appear to “wiggle” along the edges. [2] X Research source Any object that blinks, twinkles, or shimmers is most likely a star. However, it could also be an aircraft if it is moving quickly across the night sky.
Planets rise in the East and set in the West. They tend to follow a similar celestial path across our sky as the sun and moon. Stars move around in the night sky, but they do not rise or set. Instead, they orbit in a circular pattern around Polaris (the North Star). If the celestial object you see appears to move in a more-or-less straight line across the night sky, it is most likely a planet. Satellites also move across the night sky, but they do so much more quickly than planets. A planet may take hours or even weeks to cross the night sky, whereas a satellite can cross overhead in a matter of minutes.
Of the celestial bodies along the ecliptic, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are significantly brighter than the surrounding stars. This is due to their proximity to the sun since their “brightness” is just reflected sunlight. The easiest way to find the ecliptic is to note the location and trajectory of the sun and moon in the sky relative to your location on the Earth. The sun’s path across our sky is very close to the path of planets along the ecliptic. [5] X Research source
Mercury is typically gray or somewhat brownish in color. [8] X Research source Venus appears pale yellow. Mars usually appears somewhere between pale pink and bright red. This is affected by the relative brightness or dimness of Mars, which changes on a two-year cycle. [9] X Research source Jupiter appears orange with white bands. Saturn typically appears pale gold in color. Uranus and Neptune appear pale blue. However, they are not usually visible to the naked eye.
Planets reflect the bright light of our solar system’s sun, which is relatively close to the earth. Stars, by contrast, emit their own light. While some stars may be much brighter and larger than our sun, these stars are much farther from the earth than the planets in our solar system. Because of this, the planets (which reflect our sun’s light) typically appear brighter from the earth.
Remember that star charts are usually only valid for a limited period of time (typically about one month). That’s because the position of stars in the sky changes over time as the earth continues along its orbit. If you consult a star chart or planetary guide out in the field, make sure you use a dim red flashlight. These flashlights are designed to provide light without affecting your eyes’ ability to adjust to the darkness.
Some experts recommend getting familiar with celestial bodies using the naked eye, then trying binoculars, and finally moving up to using a telescope. This can help you get more acclimated to the visible bodies and their place in the night sky. Compare telescopes and binoculars online before you invest in one. Read the reviews written by people who have owned a given model by searching online for the model you’re interested in.
Common dark-sky sites include state and national parks, though other dark-sky sites are surrounded by well-lit, well-developed regions. Check the IDA website to find a dark-sky site near you.
Occultations may be visible from some locations on Earth and not from others. Check in advance to see whether an occultation is scheduled and whether your visibility will be significantly affected. You can find out about planned occultations by searching online or by consulting an astronomy guide. The International Occultation Timing Association publishes their predictions online for free. [16] X Research source
If you aren’t sure about the moon’s current phase, you can consult an online guide to the moon’s phases for free. The U. S. Navy’s website allows you to check moon phases by date as far in advance as the year 2100.
Light pollution is one of the biggest limiting factors of night sky visibility. If you live in or near a metropolitan area, you will probably need to travel to a more rural area to increase visibility. Cloud cover and significant snow cover can both affect night sky visibility. If it’s very cloudy or if the ground is significantly covered in snow, you may have a hard time seeing celestial bodies in the sky.
