How does the maximum greatest elongation angle of Venus contrast with that of Mercury?
Answer
Venus’s is around 47 degrees, whereas Mercury’s is only about 28 degrees.
When comparing the two inner planets' ability to move away from the Sun in the sky, Venus demonstrates a significantly larger maximum angular separation than Mercury. Venus can achieve a greatest elongation angle of approximately 47 degrees relative to the Sun as seen from Earth. In contrast, Mercury, despite being closer to the Sun, is restricted to a much smaller maximum angle, only achieving about 28 degrees of separation. This substantial difference in maximum elongation angle is why Venus provides much longer and reliably brighter viewing periods during twilight hours than its inner neighbor Mercury.
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