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Credit & Copyright: Richard Addis
Explanation:
Just
as
the Moon goes
through phases,
Venus' visible sunlit hemisphere waxes and wanes.
This composite of backyard
telescopic images illustrates the steady changes for
Venus
during
its current stint as our evening star, as the inner planet grows
larger but narrows to a thin crescent.
Images from bottom to top were taken during 2020 on dates
February 27, March 20, April 14, April 24, May 8, and May 14.
Gliding along its interior orbit between Earth and Sun, Venus grows
larger during that period because it is approaching planet Earth.
Its crescent narrows, though, as Venus swings closer to our
line-of-sight to the Sun.
Closest to the Earth-Sun line but passing about 1/2 degree north of the
Sun on June 3, Venus will reach a (non-judgmental)
inferior
conjunction.
Soon after, Venus will shine clearly above the eastern horizon in
predawn skies as planet Earth's
morning star.
After sunset tonight look for Venus above the western horizon
and you can also spot
elusive innermost planet Mercury.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Venus - phases
Publications with words: Venus - phases
See also: