In late March, the evening sky has some special sights for sky detectives. After sunset, you may be able to spot Venus and Jupiter shining brightly—and if the sky is dark and clear, you might even see a faint, triangle-shaped glow called zodiacal light.
Venus is sometimes called the Evening Star, but it’s actually a planet. It looks so bright because it reflects sunlight, like a shiny bead catching a flashlight. Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, can also appear as a very bright dot.
Zodiacal light is the “secret triangle” glow. It happens when sunlight reflects off tiny bits of dust in our solar system—like gentle cosmic glitter floating between the planets. City lights can make it hard to see, so darker places with a clear view of the horizon work best.
If you go looking, give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Your pupils open wider, like a camera letting in more light, and you may notice more stars—and maybe that soft triangle glow, too. Observing carefully and being patient can help you notice details you would otherwise miss.
Venus is sometimes called the Evening Star, but it’s actually a planet. It looks so bright because it reflects sunlight, like a shiny bead catching a flashlight. Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, can also appear as a very bright dot.
Zodiacal light is the “secret triangle” glow. It happens when sunlight reflects off tiny bits of dust in our solar system—like gentle cosmic glitter floating between the planets. City lights can make it hard to see, so darker places with a clear view of the horizon work best.
If you go looking, give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Your pupils open wider, like a camera letting in more light, and you may notice more stars—and maybe that soft triangle glow, too. Observing carefully and being patient can help you notice details you would otherwise miss.