What brilliant celestial object often fools observers into thinking it is the first star appearing shortly after sunset?
Answer
Venus
The brilliant object frequently seen dominating the western horizon shortly after sunset is almost always the planet Venus, earning it the nickname the Evening Star.
Related Questions
What brilliant celestial object often fools observers into thinking it is the first star appearing shortly after sunset?What is the rank of Venus among natural objects visible from Earth in terms of brightness?What is the primary component causing Venus's clouds to be so highly reflective?Approximately what percentage of incoming sunlight does Venus reflect due to its thick cloud cover?What orbital configuration causes Venus to be visible as the Evening Star in the west after sunset?What is the term for the angular distance between the Sun and Venus as seen from Earth?What is the approximate length of Venus's synodic period?How does the appearance of light from a true star differ from that of a planet like Venus due to atmospheric turbulence?If a bright object in the sky resolves into a distinct, small disk shape when viewed through binoculars, what is it?When Venus is at its greatest elongation, approximately how far away from the Sun does it appear in the sky?