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Question
Hi,
Thanks for your answer regarding star's visibility. I noticed that usually same 3 or 4 stars is always visible after sunset initially. Is that because they are nearer to earth and the farther star's light takes time to reach earth so they appear late at night?
Regards
It is probably more likely that these "3 or 4 stars" are brighter (have lower apparent magnitudes) and hence are more easily visible just after sunset.
Also, bear in mind that bright planets (e.g. Venus) can often appear close to the horizon just after sunset and are frequently mistaken for stars.
In general, you can tell a star from a planet because the latter will not twinkle.
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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