Seeing planets now as they are or in the past??

ger vallely

Hi, was just wondering while driving early this morning. Venus was so bright in the sky, it looked amazing. When we look at stars,the light takes so long to reach us that we are actually seeing them as they were many many years previous. So, are the planets so much nearer that we are seeing them in almost real time? Sorry for the basic question, I'm no expert but adore all things off this planet. Thanks.

Kersh

Depends on where we all are in orbit relative to eah other, but with planets its just a matter of minutes up to a few hours.

Stars meanwhile are years. Sirius (brightest star) at c.8 light years away means we see it as it was 8 years ago.

ger vallely

Thanks so much,twas as I thought but was not too sure. I'm reading a book about Europa at the moment and I am constantly drifting off thinking of these matters! Thanks again.

clln

ger vallely wrote: »

Hi, was just wondering while driving early this morning. Venus was so bright in the sky, it looked amazing. When we look at stars,the light takes so long to reach us that we are actually seeing them as they were many many years previous. So, are the planets so much nearer that we are seeing them in almost real time? Sorry for the basic question, I'm no expert but adore all things off this planet. Thanks.

Love Your enthusism ger valley!

Russian probes called Venera landed on Venus and before the planets athmosphere crushed the landers they managed to send back pictures from the surface of hell,here is one of them,


Researchers are taking a new look at photos shot by the Venera probes on Venus in 1982. By twiddling knobs and adjusting settings, we’re now getting clearer, sharper images of our sister planet’s surface.
Don’t be fooled by the photo, though. As docile as the image is — it looks like my old schoolyard — you need to know that the atmosphere of Venus would leave you boiling and exploding in seconds, and also give you a giant zit on your nose the night before you’re having coffee with that hot girl from plentyofffish.com. Summary: Venus is not a pleasant place

Captain Chaos

That picture looks very good quality for 1980's Soviet tech. I don't know how they can make an image that much better, if the quality and clarity was not there in the first place how can they add that now. It looks better than some of the snaps taken from Mars, I kind the scale and distance very hard to judge on the Martian pics but that shot of Venus could like you say, just as easily be taken here. I was expecting liquid metal and molten lava scattered all over.:pac:

hal9000

Captain Chaos wrote: »

That picture looks very good quality for 1880's Soviet tech.

WOW! I knew the Soviets were up in space first but bloody'ell!!!

Beeker

hal9000 wrote: »

WOW! I knew the Soviets were up in space first but bloody'ell!!!

:D:D:D

ger vallely

Wow- never saw that picture before. It's amazing. I definitely did not expect something like that at all. Won't be having coffee with that hot girl-don't think my husband would approve!Must check out Venera some more,thanks.

clln

ger vallely wrote: »

Wow- never saw that picture before. It's amazing. I definitely did not expect something like that at all. Won't be having coffee with that hot girl-don't think my husband would approve!Must check out Venera some more,thanks.

Ha ha ger valley!

Captain chaos is trying to cause trouble you know,well he came to the right place!:p
The Venera/Vega programe started in 1961.
True the picture is a remastered image but it is the best we have from the surface of Venus.

The full but short story of that planet that winks at us around sundown and sunset so often,as well as the raw images are at this link.

You's are priveledged to get this link, it is very very rare

http://www.mentallandscape.com/C_CatalogVenus.htm