Astronomy/Eclipse

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 5/31/2004


Question
Planets Mercury and Venus are revolving around the Sun in paths between Sun and Earth.  Because of this, there is a possibility of their shadows cast on Earth, and result in (what I call as) Mercury eclipse / Venus eclipse.  Was there any such eclipse documented?  Will there be any in the future?

Answer
Venus is the ONLY planet that is bright enough to cast a shadow on the Earth.  For example, if you were someplace where there was TOTAL darkness, and venus was in the sky, you would see your shadow on the ground.  However, it is very diffused, and unlike during an eclipse where you have sharp shadows.

And since venus always casts a shadow, there is nothing to really document.

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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