The Brightest Stars in the Sky: A Starry Countdown

Photo Credit: Clara Moskowitz/SPACE.com

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Star Light, Star Bright ...

The night sky can be a wondrous place filled with stars, but there are some brilliant celestial lights that shine brighter than others.

Astronomers measure the brightness of stars, planets and other night sky objects using a scale called magnitude. The lower the magnitude number an object has, the brighter it shines. (Objects with negative numbers are exceptionally bright.)

Here's a look at the brightest stars in the night (and day) sky based on their "apparent magnitude," which is how bright they appear from Earth.

FIRST STOP: Achernar

Achernar

Photo Credit: University of Illinois.

Achernar

The star Achernar lies in the constellation of Eridanus. The star has an apparent magnitude of 0.46 and an absolute magnitude of -1.3. It lies 69 light-years from Earth. [See our facts about Achernar.]

NEXT: Procyon

Procyon

Photo Credit: StarryNightEducation

Procyon

Next on the brightness list is Procyon, which is located in the constellation of Canis Minor (the lesser dog), 11.4 light-years from Earth. The star has an apparent magnitude of 0.38 and an absolute magnitude of 2.6. Image: Procyon, Betelgeuse and Sirius form the Winter Triangle. [See our facts about Procyon.]

NEXT: Rigel

Rigel

Photo Credit: Rogelio Bernal Andreo / NASA

Rigel

The star Rigel lies in the constellation of Orion, 1,400 light-years from Earth. The star has an apparent magnitude of 0.12 and an absolute magnitude of -8.1. Image: Light from the star Rigel reflects off the dust composing the Witch Head Nebula. [See our facts about Rigel.]

NEXT: Capella

Capella

Photo Credit: Starry Night Software