Discover the Brightest Stars in the Night Sky
As the night falls and the stars begin to twinkle, have you ever wondered about the brightest stars in the sky? Pam Eastlick, the former coordinator for the University of Guam planetarium, has shared her insights on how to spot 15 of the 20 brightest stars in the night sky.
In her weekly astronomy column, Eastlick guides readers on a celestial journey to find these dazzling stars. Starting with Altair, the 11th brightest star in the constellation Aquila the Eagle, she notes that it will rise just to the left of due east after 11 p.m. this week. Moving on to the 12th star, she directs readers to face west and locate Orion the Hunter’s upper shoulder, which houses the famous red giant star, Betelgeuse.
For those who venture out a little earlier than the Magic Half Hour, Eastlick suggests measuring two fist-widths down from Betelgeuse and a fist-width to the right to spot Aldebaran, the 13th brightest star. While not officially part of the Magic Half Hour, Aldebaran is still visible this week.
The Southern Cross constellation, known for its compact size, holds two of the 20 brightest stars. Alpha Crucis, the bottom star of the Cross, ranks as the 14th brightest star, while Beta Crucis, the left arm of the Cross, claims the 20th spot. Moving on to the 15th brightest star, Spica, Eastlick advises sky gazers to follow the arc of the Big Dipper’s handle to locate this star in the constellation Virgo the Virgin.
Antares, the 16th brightest star, makes a subtle appearance above the southeastern horizon as the Magic Half Hour comes to an end. This star, part of the Scorpius constellation, becomes more visible later in the evening. Pollux, the 17th brightest star, can be found by measuring a little over two fist-widths up from Betelgeuse and two fist-widths to the right.
Fomalhaut, the 18th brightest star, is currently on the other side of the sun and not visible in April. Deneb, the 19th brightest star, will rise in the northeast after 11 p.m., while Beta Crucis in the Southern Cross rounds out the list as the 20th brightest star.
Eastlick also hints at a potential nova sighting this summer. By measuring two fist-widths down from Arcturus and a fist-width to the left, sky watchers may catch a glimpse of T-Corona Borealis, a recurring nova that could light up the night sky in the coming months.
With her expert guidance, Eastlick encourages readers to marvel at the wonders of the night sky and enjoy the beauty of these bright stars. So, grab your telescope or simply look up at the sky during the Magic Half Hour this week to witness the celestial spectacle above.