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Question
which of the following statements is not true.
A. a planet outside the orbit of the Earth can transit the sun
B. the Moon can occult a planet outside the Earth's orbit
C. the Moon can occult some starts
D. the Sun can occult a planet outside the Earth's orbit
E. venus can transit the sun
Hi Julie...
Answer A is not true (from an observer on the Earth); the true statement is;
A planet outside the orbit of the Earth CANNOT transit
(cross in front of) the sun (as seen from the Earth-moon system).
And C is partly incomplete....so to be fully true, it should have read;
The Moon occults ALL stars it passes in front of in its orbit
around the Earth, as the moon cannot pass behind a star, even
the sun.
And B is incomplete also; the Moon can occult ALL the other
planets in the Solar System, not just the outer planets.
(We just had an occultation of Venus as seen from Europe on December
1st).
But A is the real....untrue statement, unless you're out on Pluto,
then all the other 8 planets can transit the sun as seen from Pluto. So...depends on...where the observer is located.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie PA
PS Venus transited the sun in June 2004, and will do so again on
June 6, 2012....the next Venus transit after that isn't until
December of 2115, 103.5 years later. (So don't miss our last one
of the century, on 6/6/2012, starting around 6:30 pm EDT!)
With the proper sun filters of course.
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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