Astronomy/venus

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 3/13/2009


Question
I've been watching what I believe to be Venus in the southwestern sky all winter.  I don't recall ever seeing it like this before.  Has it always been in this location and will it remain there?  It seems like it has been moving off into the western sky as winter progresses.  Tell me something unique about Venus.  Thanks.

Answer
Kurt.

Yes, it is Venus in the SW sky.

It changes its location from the evening to the mornign, so it is not always visible in the same place.

It is getting lowere and lower each night in the west.

Venus is the hottest of all the planets, about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.

steve

Astronomy

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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