Brightest star in the sky

Sirius (The Dog Star) is the brightest star in the night sky, attributed to its luminosity and proximity at a distance of 8.6 light-years.

Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.

Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. It shines in the constellation of Canis Major and is visible from most everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter months. Photographer: Greg Parker

Have you seen Venus and Jupiter in the Western sky? Look about 1 hour after sunset. They will be the brightest "stars" in the sky. Look for a crescent moon to join them around March 25th!

Gamma Cephei - or Errai - is a binary star system that will someday be Earth’s North Star. Gamma Cephei is home to the first exoplanet ever discovered.

Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, α Canis Majoris (Alpha Canis Majoris), or Canicula, is the brightest star in the night sky. It lies at a distance of 8.60 light years (2.64 parsecs) from Earth, in the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.