Bright Star or Planet? - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports

Question: 

What was a star or planet that was so bright, in the east, this morning?

Answer:

Being we're in early September, that's not really a star .. it is the planet VENUS!

Venus is sometimes called the "Morning Star" ... because depending on where it is in it's orbit around the Sun (remember, Venus is MUCH closer to the Sun than Earth), it will rise above our horizon before sunrise.

At other times of the year, depending on it's orbit, Venus is called the "Evening Star" ... for the "opposite" reason, that it is in the right position in its orbit to set after the Sun sets.

However, as I understand it, Venus is never BOTH a Morning Star and an Evening Star on the same day.

Hope this helps.

Jay Grymes
Chief Meteorologist
WAFB Storm Team