Happy little question you have there! Depending on the time and location, you may see a bright "star" next to the moon which is actually the planet Venus. Isn't it fantastic how the universe gives us beautiful glimpses of its wonders right outside our windows?
The bright object you see directly above the moon tonight could likely be the planet Jupiter, as it is currently visible in the night sky and is one of the brightest celestial objects. Jupiter is known for its brightness and can often be seen near the moon in the night sky.
Since the Moon moves across the sky about 12 degrees per night, there will be no bright star near the Moon "every night". Last night (September 11, 2009) the Moon was fairly close the Betelgeuse, the red giant star at the shoulder of Orion. Tonight, September 12, 2009, the Moon will be very near the planet Mars. Both have a similar reddish color to them.
Mars is the next planet that could possibly be traveled to, and this is expected to take place within the next two decades. The NASA mission is called Constellation, and the planned spacecraft is called Orion. See the mission page at the Related link below.
Obviously, every planet. Every planet has its own moon. If you are talking about the moon we see at night, that moon is the moon orbiting Earth. So Earth is the closest to Earth's moon, Jupiter is closest to Jupiter's moon, and so forth.
When you see what appears to be a star next to the moon, it is likely a planet such as Venus or Jupiter. Planets are often visible near the moon due to their brightness and positioning in the sky. It is a common phenomenon in the night sky.
Ariel is the moon of a superior planet (Uranus), so it's never between the Earth and the Sun. If we see it at all, we see it as a full moon.
The bright object you see directly above the moon tonight could likely be the planet Jupiter, as it is currently visible in the night sky and is one of the brightest celestial objects. Jupiter is known for its brightness and can often be seen near the moon in the night sky.
Tonight is the night, August 27, 2014 , that you are supposed to be able to see both the moon and the planet Mars at the same time. However, this is just a hoax that has worked its way around the Internet.
The Moon is a moon and the planets are planets, so it's impossible for a moon to be a planet. See related questions.
Mercury
It is always there but you probaly will just not see it
See related questions
Two weeks after the waning gibbous phase of the moon you will see a new moon.
Since the Moon moves across the sky about 12 degrees per night, there will be no bright star near the Moon "every night". Last night (September 11, 2009) the Moon was fairly close the Betelgeuse, the red giant star at the shoulder of Orion. Tonight, September 12, 2009, the Moon will be very near the planet Mars. Both have a similar reddish color to them.
When the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of our planet.
Look up. You'll see it.
earth