Is this a planet?

Question

I can see what looks like a very, very bright star in the southwest part of the sky the past few nights. I'm on the east coast of the US. Is that a planet?

Answer 1

Jupiter.
Was there a blinking bright star under it too? that would be antares.
both together look like quite a pair
(jupiter it might have already changed location by quite a distance, but should still be fairly near it)

Answer 2

It's Jupiter.

The people answering "Venus" are showing their fundamental ignorance of astronomy. Just because Venus was prominent in the western sky in recent months doesn't mean that it is always going to be. The planets are in constant motion around the Sun, and their relative positions can change quite quickly. Venus passed between Earth and the Sun on August 18, and was prominent in the dawn sky on the morning of the lunar eclipse on August 28. Anyone who's actually paying attention to the sky knows this. So please don't guess at answers!

Answer 3

Probably Jupiter.

It is easy to see in the southWEST after sunset. It slowly proceeds west, going down and finally sets almost at 11 p.m. Jupiter is white and is the brightest object in that part of the sky. In fact, it is presently the brightest object in the sky until the Moon rises just after 11 p.m. (and it will raise one hour later every night).

Jupiter is above a red star that is less bright than Jupiter but brighter than the surrounding stars. The red star is Antares in the constellation of the scorpion.

Jupiter and Antares are separated by the width of a hand, held at arm's length (approximately).

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Venus is not in the evening sky these days. It rises barely one hour before the Sun so that it would only be visible in the SouthEAST after 5 a.m. (and until sunrise)

Mars rises around midnight in the EAST (in Taurus). It will spend the night in the SouthEAST after midnight. Mars is red and about as brilliant as Antares (same color!).

Mars is the Roman name of the war god. His Greek name was Ares. Antares means, literally, rival of Mars, because it is same brilliance and same color. But Mars is not in that area.

Tonight (after midnight) Mars will be difficult to see because the Moon will be relatively close (The Moon will be as close to Mars, as Jupiter is close to Antares).

Answer 4

Why not point a telescope (or even binoculars) at it and see for yourself? You'll find it's Jupiter.

Venus is in the *morning* sky now. Mars is up in the wee hours, but is not prominent. Saturn is behind the Sun.

Answer 5

You are most likely viewing the planet Venus which is located in the southwest sky.

Answer 6

It's Jupiter.
Not Venus, not Mars.

Answer 7

it could be venus. thats been looking like a bright stay the past few months.

Answer 8

Probably. Venus is easy to see, but Mars and Jupiter are also sometimes visible.