Q&A for How to Tell the Difference Between Planets and Stars

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Why do the planets appear brighter then the stars?

Community Answer

The planets are much closer to Earth than stars, so they are brighter. Stars can be billions or trillions of times farther away.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 33
Question

Do planets glow brighter than stars?

Community Answer

Sometimes planets are often seen much brighter than stars. The easiest way to discern one from the other is planets don't 'twinkle,' while stars do.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 17
Question

How do I identify Venus?

Community Answer

You can see it during the morning, and look for a very bright white non-twinkling object at night.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 19
Question

Is the moon a star or a planet?

Community Answer

Neither. It is a natural satellite, or an astronomical body that orbits a planet. Many planets have moons. In terms of its physical composition, it is like a planet, not like a star. But it doesn't fit the usual criteria for a planet, mainly because it orbits a planet rather than a star.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 22
Question

How can I find Neptune easily?

Community Answer

Neptune is not visible with the naked eye. You will need a telescope to see this planet. Consult a planetary guide to find its location in the night sky.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 20
Question

Are comets stars or planets?

Community Answer

Comets are neither planets nor stars. They are blocks of ice traveling in space.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11
Question

Will stars move in the sky?

Community Answer

Yes, stars do appear to move around in our night sky. However, unlike planets, they do not move in a straight line. Instead, they appear to rotate (very slowly) around Polaris, the North Star. That appearance is mainly caused by the Earth's rotation around its own axis.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 15
Question

How do I find shooting stars and comets?

Community Answer

Shooting stars are easiest seen during meteor showers, the dates of which can be looked up online. Be sure to go to a dark place and be prepared to wait a while!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7
Question

What organization should I contact to help me identify a planet?

Community Answer

I don't think there are any organizations you can contact to identify any planets in our solar system, although there are internet resources that you can use, such as Stellarium.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
Question

How I can see a planet without a telescope?

Community Answer

Look at the sky, using your eyes. It is really not that hard. You can see most planets without a telescope. Look for a map of the planets in the night sky online.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
Question

How do I distinguish a planet from a satellite?

Community Answer

Invest time in sky watching and you'll see that planets move slower than satellites.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

What can cause it to seem like the stars are moving?

Community Answer

It's the rotation of the Earth that make them seem like they are all moving.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 0
Question

How can we differentiate between planets and stars if we are in space, say low Earth orbit?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Even if you're outside our atmosphere, the planets will usually appear brighter than the stars due to their relative proximity to us (and to the sun).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Where in the sky would someone living in the Southern Hemisphere look to find Venus?

Donagan

Top Answerer

In either hemisphere, Venus can often (but not always) be seen near the horizon just before sunrise or just after sunset. Look at the horizon near where the Sun is about to rise or has just set.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0