Stars vs Planets
A simple rule:
Stars twinkle
Planets don’t
Stars are incredibly distant, so atmospheric turbulence causes their light to flicker. Planets are much closer and appear steadier.
Satellites & Space Stations
Satellites:
Move smoothly across the sky
Do not blink
Fade in and out as they reflect sunlight
The International Space Station is one of the brightest objects you can see.
The Milky Way Explained
The Milky Way is our galaxy, viewed from inside. When you see a hazy band of light across the sky, you’re looking at billions of distant stars packed together.
Constellations
Constellations are:
Human-made patterns
Used for navigation and storytelling
Helpful for locating objects in the sky
Key Takeaways
Not everything in the sky is a star
Planets and satellites are easy to spot
The Milky Way is our home galaxy