morning sky at dawn rather quickly brightens, and the stars one after another disappear with him.Longer others is noticeable only one light.This is Venus, the planet - the morning star.It is many times brighter than Sirius, for the terrestrial observer and gives the night sky in this sense, only the moon.
Features motion across the sky
Today, almost everyone knows what the planet is called "Morning Star" and why.Beauty Venus appears in the sky just before sunrise.After dawn, it is longer than the other stars prominent due to its brightness.Most keen observers may, for several hours after sunrise to see the white dot in the sky - this is the planet of "morning star".
Venus also appears before entering daylight.In this case, it is called the evening star.As the sun goes down, the planet is getting brighter.Watch it can be for a few hours, then Venus comes.In the middle of the night a celestial body does not appear.
second from the Sun
answer to the question "what planet is called the morning star" could have been different if Venus was in a remote part of the solar system.This nickname is given cosmic body is not only due to the nature of its movement across the sky, but because of its brightness.The latter, in turn, is a result of the position of the planet relative to the Earth and the sun.
Venus - our neighbor.At the same time it is the second planet from the Sun, nearly identical to the size of the Earth.Venus - the only similar space bodies suited to such a close distance to our house (minimum distance of 40 million kilometers).These factors make it possible to enjoy it without the aid of a telescope or binoculars.
Cases of bygone days
In ancient times, the answers to the question about what kind of planet is called the morning star, and what - the evening, do not coincide.Not once was seen that light, anticipating his appearance sunrise and sunset, they are one and the same cosmic body.Ancient astronomers carefully monitor these stars, poets have composed about them the legends.After some time, close observation came to fruition.The discovery is attributed to Pythagoras and dates back to 570-500 years.BC.e.Scientists have suggested that the planet, known as the morning star, is both an evening luminary.Since we know about Venus is already very much.
mysterious planet
cosmic body, named in honor of the goddess of love, as if to justify his name for a long time to haunt the minds of astronomers, but do not let closer to unraveling its mysteries.Almost until the 60s of the last century was considered the twin of Earth, Venus, there was talk about the possibility of finding life on it.A lot of this was due to her discovery of the atmosphere.The discovery was made in 1761 by MV Lomonosov.
Improvement techniques and research methods allow more detailed study of Venus.It was found that a dense atmosphere mainly composed of carbon dioxide.Its surface is always concealed from observation cloud layer, probably consisting of sulfuric acid.The temperature on Venus exceeds all conceivable human thresholds: it reaches 450 ° C.This and other features of the planet have led to collapse of theory, it is close to life on our outer body.
gas giant
However, the question "what planet is called the morning star" has another answer, not one.Sometimes this name represent Jupiter.The gas giant, although removed from the planet at a decent distance, and Mars is farther from the sun, the brightness of the sky immediately follows Venus.Often they can be seen near each other.Most recently, in early July 2015, Venus and Jupiter could be seen as a beautiful double star.
It should be noted that the gas giant is often available for surveillance throughout the night.Therefore, it can not be considered as a suitable candidate for the role of the morning star, Venus.However, this does not make it less interesting and beautiful sky object.
closest to the Sun
There is also one the morning star.The planet except Venus and Jupiter so designated - is Mercury.The closest to the Sun, the outer body is named after the Roman messenger of the gods for their speed.That ahead, the catching of daylight for the terrestrial observer Mercury is seen alternately in the evening and morning hours.This makes it similar to Venus.Small planet so well historically is known as the morning and evening star.
Elusive
Features motion of Mercury and its proximity to the Sun, its observation difficult.An ideal place for this is the low latitudes and the equator.Mercury is best evident in the period of maximum distance from the Sun (this time called elongation).In the middle latitudes the probability to see the closest planet to the sun drops sharply.This is possible only during the best elongations.For observers of the high latitudes of Mercury unavailable.
Visibility planet is cyclical.The period is from 3.5 to 4.5 months.If Mercury is moving in its orbit, to an observer on earth ahead of the day-star in a clockwise direction, then at that time it can be seen in the morning.When he was behind the Sun, there is a chance to watch the fastest planet of the evening.Each time Mercury is seen for about ten days.
Thus, this planet is called the morning star is justified.However, this "nickname" Mercury is not all known, for obvious reasons: to see it in the sky - a rare stroke of luck because of the proximity to the day-star, and the relatively small size.
So, what planet is called the morning star?With certainty we can say that this question implies the answer "Venus", less "Mercury" and almost never, although this is possible, "Jupiter."The planet, named after the goddess of love, due to its proximity to the Earth, and high reflectivity, and hence brightness, more noticeable to the untrained observer in astronomy, and therefore will always be most strongly to take the place beautiful morning star.
