How to View the Phases of Venus

Posted by Anonymous , 9/5/2007 Tags:ViewPhasesVenus
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How to View the Phases of Venus

Introduction

Venus has caught the attention of humans since ancient times. This incredibly bright planet was one of the first objects Galileo aimed his telescope at. What he found astounded him and got him into a lot of hot water! Venus goes through phases that look very similar to moon phases. Its unique position between the Earth and the Sun causes this cycle. Keep your eye on the phases with little more than a simple pair of binoculars.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Determine whether Venus is out in the morning or in the evening. A quick Internet search tells you. Venus's location between the Earth and the sun prevents it from being out in the middle of the night.
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Step Two

Look for Venus in the west after sunset or in the east before sunrise. If viewing in the morning, go out before dawn breaks. For an evening look, wait until dusk is almost over for the best view. Dusk and dawn both last around 40 minutes.
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Step Three

Find the brightest object in the sky aside from the sun or moon. You have found Venus. It is brighter than any star. This planet has caused more than its share of UFO sightings because its light is so strong. It's probably the easiest celestial object to find with the exception of the moon.
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Step Four

Aim your binoculars at the planet of love and see what's there. As it moves through its monthly phases, Venus shrinks and then grows. It is similar to the way the moon's appearance changes as it goes through its monthly cycle.
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Step Five

Take your binoculars out around 2-1/2 to 3 weeks later and have a look. It takes Venus 225 days to go around the sun. The phases change as it undergoes this motion. You should see a change in the planet compared to the last time you looked.
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Step Six

Continue observing the planet over the course of the Venutian year. Notice how its brightness is related to its specific phases. The planet seems to disappear when it passes behind the Sun and out of Earth's view.
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