How come we can see the sun that is millions of kilometers away but can't see planets that are nearer?

Answer 1

Because the Planets closer are not luminescent.

the sun is brighter, thus, Making you see the sun, rather than the Planets, but at some special time of year when the nearby planets, move across the sun you can see the planet, Like Venus, Mercury, or Mars

Answer 2

Because the sun is producing an incredible amount of energy. Constant massive nuclear reactions. 'Lights' from planets are merely reflecting the sun's energy. And you can see all the nearby planets when not near the sun (think of holding a match near a light bulb - brightest thing is what's visible) That's why the moon and stars are visible during the day - you just don't notice because the sun is too bright. (ps don't look directly at the sun)

Answer 3

The sun contains about 98% of all of the matter in the galaxy, leaving only 2 % of matter to form the other planets, comets and asteroids. Plus, the sun is undergoing a controlled nuclear reaction putting off tremendous amounts of energy.
Ever had someone shine a flashlight in your face at night? Even bright lights from a car can 'drown out' other objects closer to you but not illuminated.

Answer 4

We can, you just have to look in the right place and at night. You can easily see venus, mars, jupiter and saturn with the naked eye at night. The look like stars except they don't twinkle.

Also the sun is huge and pumping out lots of light. The planets are much smaller and only reflect the light of the sun. Additionally, although Venus may be our nearest neighbour sometimes, at other times it isactually further away from us than the sun depending on where it is in its orbit around the sun relative to us.

Answer 5

Two main reasons.

1) The Sun is a massive fireball which means that it not only generates heat to keep us warm, it also generates light. The planets merely reflect this light off their surface.

2) The Sun is by far the largest object in the Solar System.

Answer 6

There are two main reasons. The first is that the sun is the source for nearly all the light in our solar system and the second is that it is many many times larger than any of the planets. The light from the much smaller planets is reflected light from the sun.

Answer 7

The sun gives off a LOT of light...planets don't. Plus it's really big.

Answer 8

Well, that's because the sun is on fire and produces LOTS of visible electromagnetic radiation (light) - the only reason the planets are visible is because the sun's light reflects off of them.

Answer 9

Because the sun shines using its own energy plus it is extremely extremely larger than the planets.

Answer 10

Because they are much smaller and do not have thier own light source.
Although you can see them in a clear night sky look for the stars that are not twinkling those are the planets. If you like this answer please choose it as the best i need the points to get to level 2.
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