Question

The astronomy study group is studying Mercury, in preparation for the final exam. Once again, they cannot come to an agreement and have arrived at the following conclusions:
Student A: Mercury can only been seen from Earth during the northern hemisphere winter, when the ecliptic plane is high in the sky at night.
Student B: Mercury can only been seen from Earth either just after sunset, or just before sunrise, when it is near the Sun in the sky, •
Student C: Mercury can only been seen from Earth at midnight, when it is high in the sky, .
1. Using your own words, explain why you agree with the student you believe is correct.
2. Explain why you disagree with each of the students you believe are incorrect.

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

Student B is correct, because Mercury is, in fact, possible to be visualized during the morning or evening twilight, that is, just after sunset, or just after sunrise, as times are necessary for the planet earth it has the right lighting to visualize it.

Student C is the one that is most incorrect, because at midnight the planet earth has very low luminosity so that Mercury can be visualized. Since it needs a low illumination, however existent for the planet Mercury to be seen.