For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed Earlier this year, Venus came very close to the MoonSpace rock burns 'brighter than VENUS' during stunning fall to Earth over Tokyo For example: On the evenings of 10 and 11 December, Venus lies close to the planet Saturn.
How can I observe Venus in the night sky? This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Astrophotography "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Venus and the moon are going to get very close together and it'll be easy to see from almost anywhere. This doesn’t mean we think of them as lesser objects, rather it means that they are closer to the Sun than we are.In contrast, superior planets are those whose orbits lie beyond the earth, Mars Jupiter and the rest of the Solar System.The appearance of inferior planets in our skies is quite different from the superior ones.You may have noticed that Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are present in the sky for most of the night when they are well placed, but both Mercury and Venus only ever appear in the morning sky or the evening skies.The periods of time for which inferior planets are visible are called Venus shows distinctive phases as it orbits the Sun.
The appearance of Venus in the evening sky will be an easy treat to observe over the coming months. Venus will be at its highest point in the morning sky for 2020. Venus is very easy to spot with the unaided eye as it is so brilliant. A beautiful thinning crescent through the eyepiece.
Secondly, you will be able to see how you have improved over time.You will be able to see which magnification works best for you with the telescope you use, what filters help to bring out the cloud details and so on.Most importantly, it turns your observing session from a casual one into a structured one.This is important because you will find you will engage with the planet more if your sessions have focus.Not all elongations of Venus are equal; however the current eastern elongation is going to be great for UK-based observers.The planet will reach a reasonable altitude in our skies and will be a great target for observers for much of the first part of 2020.It’s nice to finally have a bright well placed planet in our evening skies! It is the case that the observed phase of Venus is usually slightly less than the predicted phase. Currently a low object in the morning sky.
It often joins other astronomical bodies in the night sky and it can be fun to catch these events, since all you need is a clear sky (easier said than done!
If you use a filter, record which one you have used.There are many benefits to doing this. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. )Telescopically it is often said that Venus is dull, but this is not the case!All we are seeing is the top layer of clouds but even a small telescope will show the phase and faint cloud markings.The cloud details can be hard to see but those people more sensitive to the bluer colours will find them. Advice This is due to the In theory the planet should appear half illuminated on 26 March, but you might well find telescopically that it appears to be a little more than that due to the phase anomaly.I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to record your observations! The diagram above shows various positions of Venus in its orbit as observed from Earth.Starting at position 1, the Sun lies directly between the Earth and Venus and the planet is said to be at It usually lies too close to the Sun to be observed at this time.
Firstly, you will have a proper written record of what you have observed over the course of the elongation. Mars Brightening and growing in apparent size.
On 28 April it will be at its greatest brilliance.The planet will eventually pass between the earth and the Sun – this is called inferior conjunction (position 5) – on 3 June 2020.After this point Venus moves into the morning sky and we will have moved into a western elongation.The cycle continues with Venus moving away from us (position 6) but now the phase is increasing.Dichotomy will be reached (but with the other side of Venus illuminated) in position 7.The planet will start to appear gibbous once more (position 7) until eventually it reaches superior conjunction and the whole sequence starts again.Venus is very easy to spot with the unaided eye as it is so brilliant. Also in the night sky this month: After conjunction, Venus will start an Eastern elongation and will appear low down in the evening sky, this is currently the case.The planet will continue to move towards us (position 2 on the above diagram) and as it comes closer the phase decreases and it starts to appear larger.Look out for Venus in the evening sky in December and, if you take the time to observe the planet every night, you’ll notice it climbing higher in the sky, getting larger and brighter during January and February 2020.On 24 March 2020, Venus will reach the furthest separation possible from the Sun. See Venus the ‘Evening Star’ in the night sky this month )Most telescopes these days come with colour filters – these filters normally screw into the bottom of the eyepiece and have a number printed on the side for identification.A yellow filter is a good one to use visually as it cleans up the image and helps boost the contrast of the features.Cloud markings may be easier when viewed with a blue filter.
Venus will be poised to steal the show tonight, soaring overhead, like a glittering jewel in the night sky. This is because the filter is showing you different depths of Venus’ atmosphere.Another point of interest is the phase anomaly.