An evening star is commonly understood as a bright planet visible in the western sky around sunset.
Based on the provided references, the definition of an evening star includes:
- Reference 1: "a bright planet (such as Venus) seen especially in the western sky at or after sunset". This is the most widely known meaning, referring to planets like Venus or sometimes Jupiter or Saturn when they are prominently visible in the evening sky immediately after dusk.
- Reference 2: "a planet that rises before midnight". This definition includes planets that become visible earlier in the night, even if they are not directly in the sunset glare.
Essentially, an evening star is any bright planet that makes a notable appearance in the sky during the evening hours. It's a traditional term, as these planets appear like bright stars to the naked eye, but they are, in fact, planets orbiting the Sun.
Why Venus is the Most Famous Evening Star
The planet Venus is most frequently referred to as the evening star.
- Brightness: Venus is the brightest planet as seen from Earth, often outshining all stars and other planets.
- Orbit: Its orbit around the Sun is closer than Earth's. This means Venus is always observed relatively close to the Sun in our sky. When its position in its orbit places it to the east of the Sun, it appears in the western sky after sunset, making it a brilliant "star" visible in the evening.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| What it is | A bright planet visible in the evening sky. |
| Typical Location | Often seen in the western sky. |
| Typical Time | At or after sunset, or rising before midnight. |
| Most Common Example | Venus (due to its brightness). |
| Key Point | Despite the name, it is a planet, not a star. |
While Venus is the prime example, other planets can also be considered evening stars when their orbital positions make them visible and bright in the evening sky.
