2007-10-02 19:32:04 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The more distant planets don't show much phase because our position relative to them is always close to the sun. The most distant planet that shows a noticeable amount of phase is Mars, and it ranges only between gibbous and full. Only planets closer to the Sun than Earth (i.e., Mercury and Venus) show a complete range of phases.
2007-10-02 19:46:54 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Mercury and Venus show a full range of phases. Mars can show an obvious less-than-full gibbous phase (and it appears this way right now in fact). Jupiter can technically be just barely less than full at quadrature but it's very difficult to detect because of the diffuse nature of its atmosphere. Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune never show any phases as seen from Earth.
2007-10-02 19:47:03 · answer #2 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋