2006-09-12 00:40:43 · 6 answers · asked by Lutfor 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
near to d question:y v only can see moon at night?
cuz d brightness of sun doesn't let poor mercury to be shown up.
2006-09-12 03:48:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The correct inferior answer has been given so all that know me know this is an added info answer. Inferior and Superior are terms given to planets in relationship to the Earth (already stated). We can see Mercury and Venus early in the morning or at twilight at sunset. But only for a short time. When they are full (as our moon) they are on the opposite side of the sun (opposition) so even though full they are far away and not too bright. They are brightest when close to us but depends on the phase they are in. During transit (shadow moving across the sun) they are directly in line (conjunction) and we cant see them. Mercury and Venus do go through phases much like our Moon
2006-09-16 00:44:38 · answer #2 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sparc77 is correct. Mercury is an inferior planet.
The definition of an "inferior" planet:
inferior planet: a planet whose orbit lies inside that of the earth. There are two inferior planets, Mercury and Venus. They always seem to be close to the sun in the sky; the greatest elongation of Mercury is 28°, and that of Venus, 47°. For this reason, neither can be seen for more than two or three hours after sunset or before sunrise.
2006-09-12 11:49:44 · answer #3 · answered by Cincinnatus 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's close to the Sun. Clearly, you cannot see it in the middle of the night; the Earth is in the way! Likewise, you can't see it at midday because the glare of the sun hides it. But at its maximum inclination from the Sun - 16°I think - the Sun can drop below the horizon and give you a brief view.
2006-09-12 10:14:27 · answer #4 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mercury is an inferior planet, meaning it is closer to the sun than we are. As a result, it's orbit is smaller than ours and so (from our point of view) it never strays far from the sun.
2006-09-12 08:02:32 · answer #5 · answered by sparc77 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Jesus ... spark777 is telling quite a nonsense. There is no inferior or superior planet ... that is crap. But it is right, that Mercury is very close to the sun ... therefore we can see it only at rise or set ... during daytime the sun is way to bright ... thus we cannot see mercury in daytime (unless we cover a lense right in the spot of the sun, what astronomers do)
2006-09-12 09:36:58 · answer #6 · answered by jhstha 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋