Venus Is Easier to Spot in the Night Sky for a Limited Time
Venus is exceptionally bright this month, being outshined only by the Sun and the Moon. The planet ran into the Pleiades cluster at the start of April, and it can be seen easily on the night sky.
As many knows, Venus is the brightest planet within the solar system and the second largest planet from the Sun. It can be observed throughout the year without the need to use specialized equipment, and according to astronomers, it is the only bright planet that becomes even more visible in April.
It is also possible to spot it during the early morning hours if you have keen eyesight. The planet will start to shine brightly after the sunset. On April 23, it will pass by the Taurus constellation. On the far right of the planet, the Betelgeuse star can be observed while the Pleiades cluster is still visible in the south.
Venus shines bright these nights
The planet should be visible across both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Those who live in the distant northern latitudes may be surprised by the position in which Venus appears during the sunset and the length of time for which it remains visible in the dark. It is also worth noting that the planet seems to chase the Sun when it is on the other side of the star, remaining visible for a long time even after the sunrise.
Previous research has revealed that Venus has an extraordinary high albedo value (a measure for reflectiveness). This value is influenced by the thick clouds which are present across the planet and which are capable of reflecting a significant amount of sunlight into space.
It is estimated that up to 70% of the sunlight is reflected, which is a principal value. Venus has been admired since ancient times, and it is known in folklore as the evening and morning star.
As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.
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