SKY · IDENTIFY · USA · DARK-SKY

What's That in the Sky Over Death Valley?

See a bright “star,” a steady glowing point, or something you can't place over Death Valley? Pick the direction you're facing and we'll name the brightest objects that way right now — computed live for Death Valley's coordinates (36.5°, -117.1°).

WHAT'S IN THE SKY OVER DEATH VALLEY NOW

The Sun is up where you are, so only the Moon (and rarely Venus) can be seen right now. The list below is what would be in that part of the sky after dark.

WHICH WAY ARE YOU LOOKING?
Almost certainly the MoonTHE MOON
Unmistakable once you spot it — currently new moon, 0% lit.WNW · 17° up · north-western sky
VenusPLANET
Far brighter than any star — if it outshines everything, it is almost certainly Venus.W · 47° up · western sky
JupiterPLANET
A brilliant, steady (non-twinkling) creamy point — usually the brightest thing up after Venus.W · 42° up · western sky
SiriusSTAR
The brightest star in the whole sky — blue-white, low in the south, trailing Orion.WSW · 5° up · south-western sky
ArcturusSTAR
A warm orange star high in the spring/summer evening sky.ESE · 49° up · eastern sky
VegaSTAR
Brilliant blue-white, near overhead on summer evenings; a corner of the Summer Triangle.NE · 10° up · north-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 Death Valley.

Death Valley right now

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