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Chapter 11: Problem 2

Why are naked-eye observations of Mercury best made at dusk or dawn, while telescopic observations are best made during the day?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Naked-eye observations of Mercury are best made at dusk or dawn because these are the times when it is at its maximum elongation from the Sun, providing the best chance to see it against a darker sky. Telescopic observations can be done during the day as a telescope can focus on light of a specific wavelength, reducing the effect of daylight, and a telescope can use solar filters to protect the observer's eyes from the Sun’s brightness.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the position of Mercury

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. As a result, from our perspective on Earth, it never strays far from the Sun’s glare. This is known as Mercury's solar elongation.
02

Explaining naked-eye observations at dusk or dawn

When observing with the naked eye, it is easier to see Mercury at dusk or dawn because these are the times when it is at its maximum elongation from the Sun, allowing it to be seen against a darker sky. However, even at maximum elongation Mercury is still very close to the horizon, hence observations are best made under clear skies without obstructions close to the horizon like buildings or trees.
03

Explaining telescopic observations during the day

During the day, astronomers can use a telescope to find and observe Mercury in the bright sky, because a telescope can focus on light of a specific wavelength, excluding the broad spectrum of daylight, and because the relative proximity of Mercury to the Sun, as seen from Earth, is less of a concern when not trying to differentiate it from the surrounding stars and the night sky. Telescopes also have solar filters to protect the observer’s eyes from the brightness of the Sun. However, careful measures should always be taken while observing objects close to the Sun to prevent damage to the eyes.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

This time-lapse photograph was taken on May 7, 2003, during a solar transit of Mercury. Over a period of 5 hours and 19 minutes, Mercury appeared to move across the face of the Sun. Such solar transits of Mercury occur 13 or 14 times each century; they do not happen each time that Mercury is at inferior conjunction. Explain why not. (Hint: For a solar transit to occur, the Sun, Mercury, and the Earth must be in a nearly perfect alignment. Does the orbit of Mercury lie in the plane of the ecliptic?)

Carbon dioxide accounts for about \(95 \%\) of the present-day atmospheres of both Mars and Venus. Why, then, is there a strong greenhouse effect on Venus but only a weak greenhouse effect on Mars?

Search the World Wide Web for information about possible manned missions to Mars. How long might such a mission take? How expensive would such a project be? What would be the advantages of a manned mission compared to an unmanned one?

Refer to the Universe Web site or eBook for a link to a Web site that calculates the dates of upcoming greatest elongations of Mercury. Consult such magazines as Sky or Telescope and Astronomy, or the Web sites for these magazines, to determine if any of these greatest elongations is going to be a favorable one. If so, make plans to be one of those rare individuals who has actually seen the innermost planet of the solar system. Set aside several evenings (or mornings) around the date of the favorable elongation to reduce the chances of being "clouded out." Select an observing site that has a clear, unobstructed view of the horizon where the Sun sets (or rises). If possible, make arrangements to have a telescope at your disposal. Search for the planet on the dates you have selected, and make a drawing of its appearance through your telescope.

a) What is a runaway greenhouse effect? (b) What is a runaway icehouse effect?
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