How is it possible to see Venus and Mercury? They are closer to the sun than earth and we can only view celestial objects when we are facing away from the sun. As I perceive it, we would always be looking away from Mercury and Venus.
2007-05-27 14:25:22 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Your observation is partially correct... Venus and Mercury can only be seen just before or after sunrise and sunset (in normal latitudes), and only if the angle is correct (see other posts). Most of the time, they follow the sun pretty closely along the ecliptic (the apparent path the sun takes through the sky). This is also why Venus is traditionally known as the morning/evening star.
2007-05-27 14:44:56 · answer #1 · answered by Dan K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can see Venus and Mercury depending on where in their orbits are. Viewing is always in the early evening or early morning near the horizon where the sun has just set or is rising. Venus is able to get higher in the sky because of its orbit being further from the sun. Most monthly star charts will show the location where and at what time the planets will be seen.
2007-05-27 21:41:36 · answer #2 · answered by RomeoMike 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Venus and Mercury are not right next to the sun, they orbit it which means there is often a fair amount of angular separation, depending on our angle of view. You can use the earth itself to block out the sun to view them. That is, just after sunset these planets may still be above the horizon.
2007-05-27 21:39:43 · answer #3 · answered by Nature Boy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When they are around 90 degrees from the earth with the sun at the middle of the angle (extreme separation) they look like a half moon. They are really only invisible when they are on the other side of the sun or between us and the sun.
2007-05-27 21:34:18 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋