People keep calling that bright star near the moon Jupiter when it's actually Venus

I saw it again last night, a really bright object next to the crescent moon. Everyone in my local astronomy club chat said it was Jupiter. I checked my Sky Guide app and it was Venus, clear as day. This happens a lot, and it matters because Venus and Jupiter move through the sky very differently over weeks. Has anyone else noticed this mix-up happening a lot lately?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_piper27d ago

Oh my god YES this drives me nuts. Saw the same thing last week and my whole group chat was arguing for Jupiter. Checked three different apps and they all said Venus. It's like people forget Venus can be that bright in the evening. Makes following the planets over time really confusing if you start with the wrong one.

charles12227d ago

Read an article that said Venus is often mistaken for a plane or UFO because it's so bright. People just don't expect a planet to look that clear in the sky. Makes you want to double-check an app before you argue about it.

max22327d ago

Totally thought Jupiter was the only thing that bright for years. Used to point at Venus and tell people it was Jupiter without even checking. Then one night I saw both of them in the sky at the same time and realized how wrong I'd been. Now I just open an app before I say anything because it's embarrassing to be that confident and that wrong.