THE SISTER PLANET

THE SISTER PLANET

Our beautiful planet Earth

Our planet, the Earth, is the third planet in our solar system. It is the only known planet that has life on it. It is man's settlement for over billion of years. But as we all known, Earth is not the only planet in our solar system and as we study science, we discover that our planet has a "twin" or "sister." 

Planet Venus in her true color.

Venus is the second planet in our solar system. It's name was derived from the Roman goddess of beauty and love. Scientists claims that Venus and Earth actually looks the same as if they are twins. Their same in size, in gravity and in bulk composition. It was said that it is the planet that "most resembles" the Earth. 

Venus being the closest planet to Earth has the capability to be visible here on Earth. It was said that it revolves around the Sun at approximately 1.6 in Earth's 365 days. Venus is in its largest when its between Earth and Sun. They call it the "new phase." When this occurs, Venus is visibly seen on Earth as the brightest star in the sky. But not only during the "new phase" can we see Venus on Earth. Recently, Venus was seen on Earth as a small black disk passing through or across the Sun. This phenomena is called the Transit of Venus.

The 2012 Transit of Venus

The Transit of Venus happens when the planet Venus' inferior conjunction coincides with its presences in Earth's orbit. This is not a usually phenomenon. A cycle of 243 years, separated by eight years and at an interval of over a century is needed for it to happen again. That is why on the 6th of June, 2012, the whole world waited patiently just to witness the once in a blue moon phenomenon transpire here on Earth. The Transit of Venus, 2012, was said to give the scientists a number of research opportunities about Venus and the whole Solar System together with its other celestial bodies. The next transit of Venus is said to transpire on the 11th of December on the year 2117. 

This phenomenon is really rare that is why it  must not be taken for granted because we must wait for another century for it to transpire again and we never know if we can still live our lives that long. 

the start of the Transit of Venus  (black small disk) across the Sun.

sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_of_Venus,_2012 

                 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_of_Venus 

                 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferior_conjunction 

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Checked by Prof. Crisencio Paner