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 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  June 23, 2009 02:57 AM

If orbit of Venus is round (not elliptcal), why does it appear in the morning for almost a year, and for just a few months in the afternoon?

Earth and Venus have almost rounded orbits. But Venus appears at dawn for much more time (8 to 11 months) than in evening sky (4 to 6 months). Why?
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June 24, 2009 02:58 AM
Venus spends about as much time in the morning sky (west of the sun) as it does in the evening sky (east of the sun), about 290 days. However, the amount of time when Venus is plainly visible in a dark sky can vary greatly.

It depends in part on the season. In the spring, the ecliptic rises more steeply from the sunset horizon than in the fall, so Venus will appear higher and be visible in the evening sky later than it would in the fall at the same angular distance from the sun. The reverse is true for Venus' appearances in the morning sky.

Another factor is the fact that Earth and Venus orbit the sun in slightly different planes. Thus, Venus will sometimes appear to the north of the sun (have a more northerly declination) and sometimes to the south. If Venus is north of the sun, the Northern Hemisphere will have a better view (Venus will be higher above the horizon) than the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa.
Source(s):
http://www.michielb.nl/maya/venus.html
http://www.venus-transit.de/PlanetPhases/gifs/myVenusDiagram.gif
http://www.datasync.com/~rsf1/vel/1918ics.htm

Asker's Rating:
• Very good explanation. The attached links helped me to understand and visualize the scenario.


Tags: venus

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Helpful: interzone

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