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Observation Settings

Or select it on the map:
This Earth map fragment is intended to illustrate celestial motion across the sky, emphasizing both bearing and elevational perspectives. The map's center point corresponds to the transit, showcasing celestial objects at their highest point, while elevation gradually decreases towards the map edges. This dynamic representation offers insights into the changing positions of celestial bodies with a focus on their bearing and elevational trajectories.
Your location: Santa Clara, United States
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Latitude:
37.3541
Longitude:
-121.955

The 20 Brightest Stars in the Night Sky

Sky Map

Celectial bearing and elevation at 02:39
This skymap is a dynamic visualization that displays the positions of celestial objets in the night sky for your specific location on the current date. It allows you to interactively explore the celestial landscape by moving it horizontally, enabling you to preview how the arrangement of stars will change as the night progresses.
Welcome to our guide on the ten brightest stars in the night sky! As you embark on this celestial journey, you’ll encounter the most luminous stars visible from Earth, each with its own unique characteristics and significance in the cosmos.
Observing these stellar luminaries requires minimal equipment—many are visible to the naked eye, even in areas with some light pollution. Whether you’re in a rural location with a clear view of the heavens or in an urban area with a telescope, these stars offer a spectacular display that can ignite a lifelong passion for astronomy.
Embark on this stellar adventure and discover the brilliance that has captivated humanity for millennia. Happy stargazing!

Capella

Star

Capella
↗ 02:39 ↘ 14:40 ↑ 72°
☼ 0.1 ✣ -
Capella, the sixth brightest star, is a yellow giant located in the constellation Auriga. Its brightness and close proximity to the celestial north pole make it easily identifiable.
More about Capella

Rigel

Star

Rigel
↗ 02:39 ↘ 10:44 ↑ 40°
☼ 0.2 ✣ -
Rigel, the seventh brightest star, is a blue supergiant in the constellation Orion. It is one of the most massive and luminous stars visible to the naked eye.
More about Rigel

Betelgeuse

Star

Betelgeuse
↗ 02:39 ↘ 12:13 ↑ 49°
☼ 0.5 ✣ -
Betelgeuse, the tenth brightest star, is a red supergiant in the constellation Orion. It is one of the largest known stars and exhibits noticeable variability in brightness.
More about Betelgeuse

Aldebaran

Star

Aldebaran
↗ 02:39 ↘ 11:23 ↑ 67°
☼ 0.9 ✣ -
Aldebaran is an orange giant star situated in the constellation Taurus. Its name means 'the follower' as it appears to follow the Pleiades star cluster across the sky.
More about Aldebaran

Pollux

Star

Pollux
↗ 02:39 ↘ 15:15 ↑ 40°
☼ 1.2 ✣ -
Pollux is part of the Gemini twins, a bright yellow-orange giant star. It is one of the two brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, easily visible to the naked eye.
More about Pollux

Castor

Star

Castor
↗ 02:39 ↘ 15:22 ↑ 44°
☼ 1.6 ✣ -
Castor is part of the Gemini twins, forming a binary star system. It is one of the brightest stars in the constellation Gemini and is easily visible to the naked eye.
More about Castor

Bellatrix

Star

Bellatrix
↗ 02:39 ↘ 11:39 ↑ 52°
☼ 1.6 ✣ -
Bellatrix is a bright blue giant star located in the constellation Orion. It is one of the prominent stars forming Orion's Belt and is easily identifiable in the night sky.
More about Bellatrix

Elnath

Star

Elnath
↗ 02:39 ↘ 12:59 ↑ 68°
☼ 1.7 ✣ -
Elnath is a binary star system located in the constellation Taurus. It is one of the brightest stars in Taurus and serves as one of the 'horns' of the celestial bull.
More about Elnath

Alnilam

Star

Alnilam
↗ 02:39 ↘ 11:27 ↑ 44°
☼ 1.7 ✣ -
Alnilam is part of Orion's Belt, a prominent asterism in the constellation Orion. It is a blue supergiant and one of the brightest stars in the Orion constellation.
More about Alnilam

Alnitak

Star

Alnitak
↗ 02:39 ↘ 11:30 ↑ 43°
☼ 1.7 ✣ -
Alnitak is part of Orion's Belt, a triple star system in the constellation Orion. It is one of the most recognizable features of the Orion constellation.
More about Alnitak

Mirfak

Star

Mirfak
↗ 02:39 ↘ 13:38 ↑ 77°
☼ 1.8 ✣ -
Mirfak is a bright star in the constellation Perseus, known for its distinctive yellow-white color. It is one of the brightest stars in the northern hemisphere night sky.
More about Mirfak

Menkalinan

Star

Menkalinan
↗ 02:39 ↘ 15:12 ↑ 65°
☼ 1.9 ✣ -
Menkalinan, also known as Beta Aurigae, is a bright star in the constellation Auriga. It is one of the brightest stars in Auriga and serves as a navigational marker for astronomers.
More about Menkalinan

Alhena

Star

Alhena
↗ 02:39 ↘ 13:24 ↑ 48°
☼ 1.9 ✣ -
More about Alhena

Polaris

Star

Polaris
↗ - ↘ - ↑ 38°
☼ 2 ✣ -
Polaris, also known as the North Star or Alpha Ursae Minoris, is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is almost directly aligned with the Earth's rotational axis, making it a stable point in the night sky for navigation.
More about Polaris