2007-01-24 18:57:18 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Venus and Mercury show a full range of phases similar to the Moon. Mars can show a pretty decent variety of gibbous phases (more than half full) but never less. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune generally don't show any significant variations from full however. They are so far away that the angle between the sun and Earth for them never really gets very big. Not only that, but their gaseous nature means they scatter light more near their limbs (edges of their apparant disk) making it harder to detect phase differences. On Saturn, however, you can see the planet's shadow on it's rings when not near opposition or conunction.
2007-01-24 19:05:59 · answer #1 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can see the phases of Venus through just about any telescope. Matter of fact, the only time you can't see the phases of Venus is when its so close to the sun you probably aren't looking anyway.
While phases of Mercury are indeed visible from earth, I believe that requires a telescope of observatory grade.
Finally, as a practical matter, you can't really see phases of any of the other planets because their orbits are all outside the earths orbit, even with the Hubble telescope they all look like round disks because on earth you can't get around to their "dark side". The reason you can see those of Venus and Mercury is because their orbits put them between the earth and the sun from time to time, revealing portions of their "dark sides" so to speak.
2007-01-25 03:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by Like, Uh, Ya Know? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! The phases of planets was one of the "last straws" for the Earth-centered universe.
2007-01-24 19:03:16 · answer #3 · answered by tigglys 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2007-01-24 20:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to some extent... We see Venus as having stages like the moon, or maybe Mercury (in case you are able to ever spot it). We see stages in the two one among those planets as a results of fact we are able to work out the shadowed facet extra extremely basically. Mars, Jupiter, and each of something of the planets, we continuously see their almost-comprehensive illuminated face, as a results of fact we are nearer to the sunlight looking out.
2016-12-16 16:50:48 · answer #5 · answered by morrell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all the planets - easily visible - the Moon -because of their orbit around the Sun .
2007-01-24 19:29:22 · answer #6 · answered by hari prasad 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, they all do. It is just easier to see the ones that are closer to the earth or larger.
2007-01-24 19:02:13 · answer #7 · answered by Dan821 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋