In order which are the 4 brightest stars in the sky? and what have been their more common names?

also, how do they compare to each other in brightness?





how does this change over the year? by much?





and in which direction are they in comparison?





are any of them in the constellations of the 12 zodiac signs?





in which direction are they for example, they say Polaris is directly exactly? North?





how about the others?





thanks for your asnwers!

In order which are the 4 brightest stars in the sky? and what have been their more common names?
After the Sun (which is always in a zodiac constellation!) the brightest stars are in order:





Sirius (Alpha in Canis Major)


Canopus (Alpha in Carina)


Arcturus (Alpha in Bootes)


Alpha Centauri aka Rigil Kent (in Centaurus)





none of these are in zodiac constellations.





The brightest star in a zodiac constellation is Aldebaran (Alpha in Taurus) ranking as the 13th brightest star in the night sky.


Spica (Alpha in Virgo) is number 15.


Antares (Alpha in Scorpius) is 16th.


Pollux (Beta in Gemini) is 17th.


Regulus (Alpha in Leo) is 22nd.





Because Earth's axis of rotation points almost directly at Polaris (within less than a degree of true North), Polaris appears fixed in the sky. Its azimuth is within a degree of true North (better than your magnetic compass). Polaris's altitude above your horizon will be (within a degree) the same as your latitude north of the equator. If you were at the North pole Polaris would be directly overhead (90 degrees above the horizon, same as the latitude).





Polaris will be closest to true North in 2100.
Reply:The sun is the brightest star by far in our sky.


Sirius is a poor second


Canopus is third BUT can't be seen in the norther hemisphere.


Arcturis is fourth





The sun is by definition in the zodiac, because they are the constellations that the sun moves thru during a solar year. But none of the four brightest stars are stars of the thirteen sun-signs of the zodiac. There are thirteen now because of the Earth's wobble, the sun goes thru Ophiucus. (SIC?)





Polaris is about .7 degree from exact north and is getting farther away as Earth wobbles. It was closest in 1990. By the way, "Search first" should have searched before answering this part wrong.
Reply:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bri...





The Sun is not in a constellation since it appears to move over the course of a year.





Sirius is in Canis Major





Canopus is in Carina





Arcturus is in Bootes. It is the only star here with any significant variability but not enough to move it up or down the rankings at all.