The Night Sky

When the Sun sets and darkness falls, a beautiful show begins above our heads. The night sky is filled with stars, planets, and the Moon. People have been looking up at the night sky for thousands of years. It looks different depending on where you are and what time of year it is.

What Is in the Night Sky

The night sky holds billions of stars, but we can only see a few thousand with our eyes. You can also spot planets like Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The Moon is the brightest object in the night sky. Sometimes you can even see the faint glow of the Milky Way stretching across the sky.

Why the Sky Changes

The night sky looks different every season because Earth moves around the Sun. Stars that are easy to see in winter may be hidden in summer. The Moon also changes shape throughout the month. That is why stargazers always have something new to look for.

Fun Facts

• The brightest star in the night sky is called Sirius, also known as the Dog Star.
• If you watch the sky for an hour, you will notice that the stars seem to move slowly across the sky.
• Some of the light from stars you see tonight left those stars hundreds of years ago.

Did You Know?

The stars do not actually move across the sky. It is Earth spinning that makes it look like they are moving!