Post by Owen on May 27, 2023 10:15:50 GMT
1 ~~~ Observe Venus's phases as the planet approaches 50% illumination ~ Sk at Night Magazine ~~~
Venus changes appearance quite dramatically as it orbits the Sun. It’s now approaching 50% lit (dichotomy).
Venus is an inferior planet. This doesn’t mean it’s a lesser world than ours, it’s simply a reference to the size of its orbit.
Inferior planets have smaller orbits than Earth, superior planets larger orbits. Mercury and Venus are inferior planets, the rest are superior.
Inferior planets are interesting to observe as their apparent sizes wax and wane noticeably over time and they show a full set of phases.
In 2023, Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation on 4 June, appearing 45.4° to the east of the Sun and brilliant in the evening twilight.
The planet should appear at 50% phase, known as dichotomy, on this date.
This means that May is a great chance to observe Venus before it fades.
www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/venus-dichotomy/?
10 May 2023
Venus changes appearance quite dramatically as it orbits the Sun. It’s now approaching 50% lit (dichotomy).
Venus is an inferior planet. This doesn’t mean it’s a lesser world than ours, it’s simply a reference to the size of its orbit.
Inferior planets have smaller orbits than Earth, superior planets larger orbits. Mercury and Venus are inferior planets, the rest are superior.
Inferior planets are interesting to observe as their apparent sizes wax and wane noticeably over time and they show a full set of phases.
In 2023, Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation on 4 June, appearing 45.4° to the east of the Sun and brilliant in the evening twilight.
The planet should appear at 50% phase, known as dichotomy, on this date.
This means that May is a great chance to observe Venus before it fades.
www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/venus-dichotomy/?
10 May 2023