Which of these observations might an astronomer be able to make from Earth?
A) Mercury and Venus passing each other moving in opposite directions
B) Jupiter near Polaris, the North Star
C) Venus high in the sky at midnight
D) Venus near Polaris, the North Star

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mercury and Venus can appear to pass each other moving in opposite directions from Earth's perspective. This is because both planets orbit the Sun inside Earth's orbit, and their relative positions can change as they move along their orbits. The other options are not possible due to the positions of the planets and stars in the solar system and how they appear from Earth. Jupiter, Venus, and Polaris have specific orbits and positions that prevent the scenarios in B, C, and D from happening.

Which of These Observations Might an Astronomer Be Able to Make