What star?

[timmalloy]

anyone tell me the name of the very bright star currently NW of the moon

[kempie]

That is Venus.

[timmalloy]

Thanks Kempie

[gen2]

The orbit of Venus takes it (as viewed from the Earth) in front of the sun, behind the sun and to either side of the sun. When it is ahead of the sun (roughly one third if the time) it is seen in the early hours of the morning and called the 'Morning star'. When it is following the sun (roughly one third if the time) it is seen in the early evening and called the 'Evening star'. For the one sixth of the time it is close to the sun or in front of the sun it is extremely difficult or impossible to see. Similarly for the sixth of the time it is close to the sun or behind the sun.

Strictly speaking though, Venus is not a star since it is a planet of our solar system. Stars generate their own light. Planets relect light that shines upon them.

[-=BigD=-]

good question good answer! I was gonna ask that too!

[Bazile]

I was looking up at the moon the other night , and wondering the same thing - I too , thought it was a star

Just to clarify - are we talking about the one that appears nearest to the moon , as we see it ?