SKY · IDENTIFY · USA

What's That in the Sky Over Charlotte?

See a bright “star,” a steady glowing point, or something you can't place over Charlotte? Pick the direction you're facing and we'll name the brightest objects that way right now — computed live for Charlotte's coordinates (35.2°, -80.8°).

WHAT'S IN THE SKY OVER CHARLOTTE NOW
WHICH WAY ARE YOU LOOKING?
Almost certainly ArcturusSTAR
A warm orange star high in the spring/summer evening sky.WNW · 15° up · western sky
VegaSTAR
Brilliant blue-white, near overhead on summer evenings; a corner of the Summer Triangle.WNW · 74° up · western sky
SaturnPLANET
A steady yellowish point, fainter than Jupiter — its rings need a telescope.E · 14° up · eastern sky
AltairSTAR
Bright star straddling the equator; completes the Summer Triangle.S · 64° up · southern sky
AntaresSTAR
A red supergiant low in the south in summer — the heart of Scorpius.SW · 12° up · south-western sky
FomalhautSTAR
A solitary bright star low in the south in autumn ("the lonely one").SE · 12° up · south-eastern sky
IS IT MOVING OR FLASHING?

A point of light that drifts steadily across the sky in a minute or two — not twinkling, no flashing lights — is a satellite (often the ISS or a Starlink train). A blinking light moving in a straight line is an aircraft. The objects above don't move noticeably over a few minutes.

The list is ordered brightest-first and updates through the night. A planet shines with a steady light; a star twinkles; a point that drifts across the sky in a minute or two is a satellite. Best viewing is once the sky is fully dark — check our stargazing conditions for Charlotte.

Charlotte right now

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