If an observer sees Venus blazing brilliantly an hour or two after sunset, what is this phase called and what determines its path toward setting?
Answer
Evening Star; it follows a path determined by Earth's rotation, leading it to set in the west.
Seeing Venus an hour or two after sunset confirms it is the Evening Star. In this phase, it is visible in the western sky, moving away from the Sun's position. Although Venus has its own intrinsic rotation, its movement across the sky from the observer's perspective on Earth is overwhelmingly governed by the Earth's daily west-to-east rotation. Therefore, the Evening Star is expected to proceed toward setting in the west, following the general track established by the Sun.
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