Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Stars to Wish Upon (evening)

If you want to wish upon the first star to shine after dusk, then you've got two to choose from in late June. As the sky darkens after sunset, cast your gaze high in the southern sky to spot yellow-orange Arcturus (Alpha Bootis). At magnitude -0.15, it's not only the brightest star in Bootes, the Herdsman, but also the fourth brightest star in the night sky worldwide. Only our sun and Sirius are brighter for mid-Northern latitude skywatchers. At only 37 light-years away from the sun, Arcturus is a 'neighbor' of ours. If you happen to be facing east, you might see the equally-bright star Vega, in Lyra, the Harp first. Vega is the next brightest star in the sky after Arcturus due to its luminosity and location only 25 light-years away from us.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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