How can you differentiate star and planet in night gazing?

Answer 1

Without an optical aid it could be difficult, as a few stars are as bright as planets.

There are some things to look for:

1. stars appear as pin points, planets as very small disks.

[Even if you can't see a disk, the result is that planets don't "twinkle". ]

Not exactly true. Depending on atmospheric conditions stars may not twinkle.

Though planets are less likely to be observed twinkling because your eyes average their light, they may be observed twinkling at times, especially if you can't observe them as a disk.

2. planets are usually brighter than stars.

3. planets will be near the ecliptic - the path the Sun travels across the sky.