When observing the night sky, we can see many stars. However, not all stars are alike and not all are visible to the naked eye.
The Brightest Stars in the Sky
10. Archerna
The star Archerna is located in the constellation Eridanus. It has an apparent magnitude of 0.46 and an absolute magnitude of -1.3. This star is approximately 69 light-years away from Earth (1 light-year equals about 9 trillion kilometers).
9. Procyon
Next on the list is Procyon, located in the constellation Canis Minor, approximately 11.4 light-years from Earth. This star has an apparent magnitude of 0.38 and an absolute magnitude of 2.6.
8. Rigel
Located in the constellation Orion, Rigel is about 1,400 light-years away from Earth. Its apparent magnitude is 0.12 and its absolute magnitude is -8.1. The image shows light from Rigel reflecting off a cluster of space dust, forming a nebula.
7. Capella
Capella is located in the constellation Auriga, 41 light-years from Earth. It has an apparent magnitude of 0.08 and an absolute magnitude of 0.4.
6. Vega
The star Vega is in the constellation Lyra, about 25 light-years from Earth. It has an apparent magnitude of 0.03 and an absolute magnitude of 0.6. The image shows the Milky Way illuminating the western sky of Iowa, USA, on March 31, 2013, with Vega prominently shining in the upper center.
5. Arcturus
Located in the constellation Boötes, Arcturus is about 34 light-years away from Earth. Its apparent magnitude is -0.04 and its absolute magnitude is 0.2. The image centers on the Moon, while Arcturus is the fourth brightest star in the upper right corner.
4. Rigil Kentaurus
As the third brightest star in the night sky, Rigil Kentaurus’s brightness is influenced by the density of its surrounding star system, known as Alpha Centauri. It is the closest neighbor to the Sun, located about 4.3 light-years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. The star has an apparent magnitude of -0.27 and an absolute magnitude of 4.4.
3. Canopus
Canopus is located 74 light-years from Earth in the constellation Carina. It has an apparent magnitude of -0.72 and an absolute magnitude of -2.5. As the second brightest star in the sky, Canopus is clearly visible in an image taken by astronaut Donald R. Pettit on the ISS.
2. Sirius
Sirius, located in the constellation Canis Major, is about 8.6 light-years from Earth. It has an apparent magnitude of -1.46 and an absolute magnitude of 1.4. The image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows Sirius A, the brightest star in the night sky, with the blue dot on the right being its companion, Sirius B.
1. The Sun
Of course, the brightest star is none other than the Sun, our closest star. It is located approximately 9,149,668,992 kilometers from Earth, with an apparent magnitude of -26.72 and an absolute magnitude of 4.2.
