No, Venus is not always visible from Earth. Like all planets, Venus's visibility depends on its position relative to the Sun and Earth.
Here's why:
- Venus orbits the Sun: Venus circles the Sun, just like Earth does.
- Earth's perspective: From our perspective on Earth, Venus sometimes appears close to the Sun, making it difficult to see due to the Sun's brightness.
- Phases of Venus: Like our Moon, Venus goes through phases. Sometimes it's a crescent, sometimes it's full, and sometimes it's somewhere in between. The phase of Venus affects its brightness and visibility.
When is Venus visible?
Venus is most easily visible when it's at its greatest elongation, which means it's farthest from the Sun in the sky as seen from Earth. This happens twice during each orbit of Venus, usually for several weeks at a time.
Tips for finding Venus:
- Check a stargazing app: Apps like Stellarium or SkySafari can show you the current position of Venus and other celestial objects.
- Look for the brightest "star" in the evening or morning sky: Venus is often the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon.
- Look for a steady light: Venus doesn't twinkle like stars do.
Bonus:
- Venus is often called the "Morning Star" or "Evening Star" because it's typically visible shortly before sunrise or after sunset.
