2007-07-17 16:44:52 · 7 answers · asked by dwilesjr5 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It doesn't fade. It sets below the horizon.
2007-07-17 16:49:31 · answer #1 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with stork5100. Venus does not fade throughout the night. It rises in the East, and sets in the West. However, at different times, it may already be above the horizon when the dusk comes, or it may be about to set, etc. That depends on where Venus is in it's orbit in relation to the Sun and Earth.
Venus does, however, fade over a longer time period, then it will disappear for a while, then brighten up again, and continue the process over and over. This is dependent on it's orbit, not on Earth's rotation, which is why the fading isn't related to our night.
2007-07-17 17:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by silverlock1974 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Venus will actually seem brighter as the sky darkens after sunset. However, it will set below the horizon soon after.
Since Mercury and Venus both have orbits closer to the Sun than the Earth, they will always stick close to the Sun from our perspective. Mercury within 30 degrees, Venus within 50 degrees. So Venus will only be in the sky 3.3 hours maximum before or after the Sun sets.
2007-07-17 17:00:57 · answer #3 · answered by stork5100 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Venus is moving behind the Sun in its orbit as seen from Earth. It can still be seen as the really bright star low in the west at sunset, but it will get a little lower each night until it is lost in the glare of the Sun pretty soon. After that it will emerge in the predawn sky, appearing as a really bright star in the East just before sunrise. It has been doing this for millions of years, but you probably never noticed. Most people don't.
2007-07-17 16:56:32 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. As Venus approaches the horizon the light from it passes through more of the Earth's atmosphere, so maybe depending on the dust, etc. the the light passes through.
2007-07-17 17:17:44 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good answers all.
The magnitude or brightnest of Venus varies very little during it's rotation around the sun. We do lose sight of it when it is behind the sun but it's usually known as our evening or morning star.
Note to that it does not twinkle. Only stars twinkle; planets do not.
2007-07-17 17:03:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It follows the sun toward the horizon and sets. Go outside every half hour from 7 PM or so and you will see it get lower and lower in the sky.
2007-07-17 17:43:04 · answer #7 · answered by Michael da Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋