Changes

When it is visible, it is the brightest, most conspicuous, and easiest to recognize of all the planets.

When it is visible, it is the brightest, most conspicuous, and easiest to recognize of all the planets.

As of February 2007, Venus is the "evening star." It shines brightly in the West in the hours after sunset. It is visible long before the sky is dark enough to see any other star, and when people "wish upon a star" very often they are actually looking at Venus. You can see it shining through a window in a lit room, like the "wishing star" in the opening of Walt Disney's animated cartoon, ''Pinocchio."  

As of February 2007, Venus is the "evening star." It shines brightly in the West in the hours after sunset. It is visible long before the sky is dark enough to see any other star, and when people "wish upon a star" very often they are actually wishing upon Venus. You can see it shining through a window in a lit room, just like the "wishing star" in the opening of Walt Disney's animated cartoon, ''Pinocchio."  

Although it is not quite true, as astronomy books sometimes claim, that "planets do not twinkle," Venus does shine with a noticeably steadier light than the stars do. When looking at Venus, it is quite possible to wonder whether one is looking at a plane, until one has watched for long enough to be sure that it is not moving... or, at least, not moving quickly enough to notice.

Although it is not quite true, as astronomy books sometimes claim, that "planets do not twinkle," Venus does shine with a noticeably steadier light than the stars do. When looking at Venus, it is quite possible to wonder whether one is looking at a plane, until one has watched for long enough to be sure that it is not moving... or, at least, not moving quickly enough to notice.