❓ why
Why do Mercury and Venus never appear far from the Sun in the sky?
Solar SystemPlanet Orbits
Quick Answer
They are inner planets, so from Earth they always stay close to the Sun’s direction. Their orbits lie inside Earth’s orbit, limiting how far they can separate in our sky.
The Full Story
Mercury and Venus are called inferior planets because their orbits are inside Earth’s orbit. That geometry means they can only appear near the Sun from our viewpoint, either shortly after sunset or before sunrise. Mercury never gets very far away because its orbit is small and highly inclined. Venus can reach a much larger separation, up to about 47 degrees from the Sun, which is why it can be very bright at dawn or dusk.
Key Facts
1.Venus can reach about 47° from the Sun
2.Mercury’s maximum elongation is only about 18° to 28°
3.Both planets orbit inside Earth’s orbit
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The closest planets are also the hardest to catch in the sky."