[jnart]

I'm not an astronomer, but, I would like to know the names of those two very bright stars in The Villages evening and night skies.

thanks.

[gmcneill]

I'm thinking that they are the planets Venus and Jupiter...

[gmcneill]

...then again the two bright stars could also be bill n brillo, or Gracie and Skyguy, or any number of other TOTV members

[skyguy79]

Night to you too jnart!

[mfp509]

My neighbor told me that the real bright one is Venus and the other is Jupiter. They are just beautiful - I look at them every night when walking my dog.

[Harry Gilbert]

If you have a android based phone download the "sky map" app it will show you all the stars and their names. Apple may also have a app but I don't know its name.

[uujudy]

You can sign up for alerts & information at this website: Spaceweather.com Time Machine

And yes, the stars are Venus & Jupiter.
(PS: The 'Time Machine' part is because I backdated the website to show the Venus-Jupiter conjunction)

[blueash]

Venus and Jupiter are in the Western sky after sunset (okay they're there before sunset also but you can't see them). Now turn 180 degrees and look east and you will see a reddish non-blinking "star" about 15 degrees above the horizon, increasingly higher as the evening progresses. That is Mars. And if you stay up later you will see Saturn rise in the east. Of course Mars is a planet not a star as are the others.http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essent...saturn-mercury

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by blueash

Venus and Jupiter are in the Western sky after sunset (okay they're there before sunset also but you can't see them). Now turn 180 degrees and look east and you will see a reddish non-blinking "star" about 15 degrees above the horizon, increasingly higher as the evening progresses. That is Mars. And if you stay up later you will see Saturn rise in the east. Of course Mars is a planet not a star as are the others.March 2012 guide to the five visible planets | Astronomy Essentials | EarthSky

Alright MR. OHIO SCIENTIST...I have a question. Why do these planets reflect SO much light right now? Stars shine bright because they are hot and burning and emitting light................but planets don't emit light.

[RayinPenn]

First if the object you are viewing doesnt twinkle it is a planet. Planet light is from the sun and is constant. Planets are visible or not dependent mostly on the earths orbit. Plently of neat websites out there if you are interested.

[Midge538]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I have a question. Why do these planets reflect SO much light right now?

G

Both Venus and Jupiter are on the same side of the sun. They both are now at their annual nearest distance to the earth. Venus has a thick layer of greenhouse gasses that make it very reflective ... hence its brightness. They are quite beautiful in our western sky after twilight.

M

[blueash]

Originally Posted by RayinPenn

First if the object you are viewing doesnt twinkle it is a planet. Planet light is from the sun and is constant. Planets are visible or not dependent mostly on the earths orbit. Plently of neat websites out there if you are interested.

Stars twinkle because at their great distance they are essentially a single pinpoint of light. As that ray goes thru the atmosphere the beam is slightly refracted right and left up and down by the particles in the atmosphere. On the other hand the planets are not points but rather wider beams and the tiny refractions cancel each other giving a steady appearing image. If you were in outer space the stars would not appear to twinkle.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Alright MR. OHIO SCIENTIST...I have a question. Why do these planets reflect SO much light right now? Stars shine bright because they are hot and burning and emitting light................but planets don't emit light.

The best thing about winter nights in Florida is the clear skies with no humidity......all the stars shine so clearly!