That bright "star" in the west after sunset is Venus, often called the "Evening Star". It will shine brightly for most of the rest of 2026, peaking in August.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky. Skywatchers looking east a couple of hours after dark this ...

Sirius, also called the Dog Star, is the brightest star in Earth's night sky. Shining more brilliantly than any other star visible from Earth (excluding our sun, of course), Sirius is outshone only by ...