SKY · IDENTIFY · USA

What's That in the Sky Over Indianapolis?

See a bright “star,” a steady glowing point, or something you can't place over Indianapolis? Pick the direction you're facing and we'll name the brightest objects that way right now — computed live for Indianapolis's coordinates (39.8°, -86.2°).

WHAT'S IN THE SKY OVER INDIANAPOLIS NOW
WHICH WAY ARE YOU LOOKING?
Almost certainly ArcturusSTAR
A warm orange star high in the spring/summer evening sky.WSW · 56° up · south-western sky
VegaSTAR
Brilliant blue-white, near overhead on summer evenings; a corner of the Summer Triangle.E · 64° up · eastern sky
AltairSTAR
Bright star straddling the equator; completes the Summer Triangle.ESE · 35° up · eastern sky
SpicaSTAR
A lone blue-white star in the southern spring sky, below Arcturus.SW · 25° up · south-western sky
AntaresSTAR
A red supergiant low in the south in summer — the heart of Scorpius.S · 24° up · southern sky
DenebSTAR
Marks the tail of Cygnus the Swan; the third corner of the Summer Triangle.ENE · 43° 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 Indianapolis.

Indianapolis right now

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