<p>For inner planets (Venus and Mercury) the best time for observation is west or east elongation. During east elongation (planet can be seen in the evening) the planet is located &quot;in front&quot; of the Sun in the sky. The planet is seen the best in winter and spring because the Sun's declination is increasing and the planet gets to be before Sun, in place where it only will come, a little higher and therefore is seen longer. The almost same thing happens during west elongation (the planet is seen in the morning). The best time is summer and autumn because Sun's declination is decreasing and planet moves &quot;behind&quot; the Sun and again it is a little higher above ecliptic.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-01T08:09:45.743Z
2021-09-01T08:09:45.743Z
ALiCe P.
<p>I'm trying to solve this task:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Why do periods of good evening visibility of the planets usually come in winter and spring, and morning ones - in summer and autumn?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Could somebody please explain what planet's visibility is dependend on and what it has to do with time of the year?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-31T16:13:38.397Z
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/ and https://www.farmersalmanac.com/visible-planets-guide for info
Daddy Kropotkin
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-31T17:52:49.897Z
I think the premise is false. Although the Earth's orbital period is a factor, the synodic periods of other planets are independent of Earth's seasons.
Mike G
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-31T18:06:52.260Z
Maybe it has to do something with their declination?
ALiCe P.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-31T18:38:54.410Z
There might be something to that in Mercury's case.
Mike G
<planet><time>
Why is planet visible very good in a specific time of the year?
ALiCe P.
# Why is planet visible very good in a specific time of the year?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-08-31)

I'm trying to solve this task:

> Why do periods of good evening visibility of the planets usually come in winter and spring, and morning ones - in summer and autumn?

Could somebody please explain what planet's visibility is dependend on and what it has to do with time of the year?

**Tags:** planet, time

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/ and https://www.farmersalmanac.com/visible-planets-guide for info  
> **username_2**: I think the premise is false. Although the Earth's orbital period is a factor, the synodic periods of other planets are independent of Earth's seasons.  
> **username_0**: Maybe it has to do something with their declination?  
> **username_2**: There might be something to that in Mercury's case.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2021-09-01. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

For inner planets (Venus and Mercury) the best time for observation is west or east elongation. During east elongation (planet can be seen in the evening) the planet is located "in front" of the Sun in the sky. The planet is seen the best in winter and spring because the Sun's declination is increasing and the planet gets to be before Sun, in place where it only will come, a little higher and therefore is seen longer. The almost same thing happens during west elongation (the planet is seen in the morning). The best time is summer and autumn because Sun's declination is decreasing and planet moves "behind" the Sun and again it is a little higher above ecliptic.


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