Q:
What Is the Bright Star Next to the Moon?
A:
Quick Answer
The brightest star visible from Earth is Sirius, located in the Canis Major constellation. There are many very bright stars in the night sky that are visible from Earth, and as the moon makes its orbit it does pass near or in front of several of these.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
The brightness of stars viewable from Earth is measured using a scale known as "magnitude." Given that stars can be at an infinite number of different distances from the Earth, their magnitudes are usually charted as both their apparent brightness and their absolute brightness. Apparent magnitude refers to the observable light as seen from Earth. Absolute magnitude is a measurement based on a standard distance
Learn more about Stellar AstronomyRelated Questions
-
Q:
Why Are Stars so Bright?
A: Stars appear bright based on their distance from Earth and their stellar classification. The measurement used to indicate the brightness of a star as seen ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is a Circumpolar Star?
A: A circumpolar star is so close to one of Earth's two poles that instead of rising and setting like other stars, it seems only to revolve around one point i... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Which Star Is the Brightest?
A: The brightest star visible from Earth is the sun. Though it is not exceptionally bright by the standards of other stars, its relative proximity to Earth ma... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is the Bright Planet Next to the Moon?
A: Depending on the time of year and phase of the moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter or Saturn may appear as a bright planet next to the moon in the night sk... Full Answer >Filed Under:
