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Venus

One of the five planets visible to the naked eye (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Mars). Jupiter and Venus are the two "main" planets for navigation since they are always brighter than the brightest stars and therefore their sights can be taken immediately after sunset or just before sunrise when the stars are not visible. Venus is seen in the morning or evening, never more than about 45° from the sun. It changes from morning star to evening star about once a year. Check the planet diagram in the Nautical Almanac to get a feeling for how it moves in any particular year.


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