Transit of Venus: Venus Passes Directly Between Sun & Superior Planet

In summary, a transit of Venus across the Sun occurs when Venus passes directly between the Sun and a superior planet, causing it to appear as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun when viewed from Earth. This is possible because Venus is closer to the Sun than Earth and can align with it and a superior planet to create the transit phenomenon. However, this can also occur from other planets that are in a higher orbit around the star.
  • #1
azizlwl
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A transit of Venus across the Sun takes place when thplanet"etVenus passes directly between the Sun and a superior planet, becoming visible against (and hence obscuring a small portion of) the solar disk. During a transit, Venus can be seen from Earth as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun. ..,Wikipedia.

My question is why "Venus passes directly between the Sun and a superior planet" not only passes between Earth and the Sun.
 
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  • #2
Earth, being in a higher solar orbit, is a superior planet to Venus.

Not sure I understand exactly what your question is. Do you mean 'why are the following two sentences not synonymous'?
Venus makes a transit as seen by a superior planet
and
Venus makes a transit as seen from Earth.

Well, technically, Venus also makes a transit as seen from Mars as well. So they're not exactly synonymous, though they are for our purposes here on Earth.

The meaning of the word is buried in the history of the terms:
Inferior and Superior
These terms were originally used in the geocentric cosmology of Claudius Ptolemy to differentiate as inferior those planets (Mercury and Venus) whose epicycle remained co-linear with the Earth and Sun, and as superior those planets (Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) that did not.[1]

In the 16th century, the terms were modified by Copernicus, who rejected Ptolemy's geocentric model, to distinguish a planet'sorbit's size in relation to the Earth's.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferior_and_superior_planets#History
 
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  • #3
Planets which are nearer to the Sun than Earth is (Venus and Mercury) can be sometimes aligned so that we see them passing across the Sun.
For planets which are more distant from the Sun than Earth is, this is not possible/
 
  • #4
azizlwl said:
My question is why "Venus passes directly between the Sun and a superior planet" not only passes between Earth and the Sun.
Because you can see a transit of planet A from any planet B that is in a higher orbit around the star.
 
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FAQ: Transit of Venus: Venus Passes Directly Between Sun & Superior Planet

What is the Transit of Venus?

The Transit of Venus is a rare astronomical event that occurs when the planet Venus passes directly between the Sun and a superior planet (a planet that is farther from the Sun than Earth). This alignment causes Venus to appear as a small black dot moving across the face of the Sun.

How often does the Transit of Venus occur?

The Transit of Venus occurs in pairs, with each pair separated by 8 years. After the pair, there is a gap of either 105.5 or 121.5 years before the next pair occurs. For example, the last Transit of Venus pair occurred in 2004 and 2012, and the next pair will not occur until 2117 and 2125.

Why is the Transit of Venus important?

The Transit of Venus is important because it allows scientists to measure the distance between Earth and the Sun, known as the astronomical unit (AU). By observing the Transit from different locations on Earth, scientists can use parallax to calculate the AU with great accuracy. This measurement is crucial for understanding the scale of the solar system.

How can I safely observe the Transit of Venus?

It is very important to never look directly at the Sun, as this can cause permanent eye damage. The safest way to observe the Transit of Venus is by using special solar filters or eclipse glasses. These can be purchased from reputable sources or made at home using proper materials. It is also possible to indirectly view the Transit by projecting the image of the Sun onto a white surface using a pinhole or telescope.

What can we learn from the Transit of Venus?

The Transit of Venus provides scientists with valuable information about Venus, such as its size, atmosphere, and orbit. It also allows for the study of exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system, as the Transit can be used as a model for detecting exoplanets around other stars. Additionally, the Transit of Venus has historical significance, as it was used in the past to measure the size of the solar system and helped lead to advancements in astronomy and navigation.

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