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Chapter 11: Problem 78

Describe the apparent motion of the Sun during a "day" on Venus relative to (a) the horizon and (b) the background stars. (Assume that you can see through the cloud cover.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
On Venus, due to its retrograde rotation, the Sun would appear to rise in the west and set in the east. The Sun would seem to move eastward across the sky slowly over time as compared to its motion on Earth, relative to the background stars.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Venus's Rotation and Orbit

It's crucial to know Venus's rotation and orbit pattern. Venus rotates on its axis in the opposite direction to most planets (retrograde rotation). It also completes one rotation in 243 Earth days, which is longer than its year, which is 225 Earth days.
02

Sun's Apparent Motion Relative to the Horizon

Due to Venus's retrograde rotation, the Sun would appear to rise in the west and set in the east. Since Venus's rotation is slower than its orbit around the Sun, the Sun would take longer to rise and set compared to Earth.
03

Sun's Apparent Motion Relative to the Background Stars

Since Venus orbits the Sun more quickly than it rotates on its axis, the relative position of the Sun would appear to shift against the background stars more quickly than on Earth. The Sun would seem to move eastward across the sky over time, albeit slowly due to the longer rotational period of Venus.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Suppose all of Venus's volcanic activity suddenly stopped. (a) How would this affect Venus's clouds? (b) How would this affect the overall Venusian environment?

Do Venus and Mars have continents like those on Earth?

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Why is it reasonable to assume that the primordial atmospheres of the Earth, Venus, and Mars were roughly the same?
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