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Every planet revolves around the sun, each one taking a different amount of time to complete one revolution. So the distance between Earth and any other planet changes over a wide range, depending on whether we're both on the same side of the sun or on opposite sides.
At any given time, the planet closest to Earth could be either Mercury, Venus, or Mars. Jupiter (the next planet out) at its closest is further away than Mercury or Venus at their furthest, so it has to be one of those three.
The planet that can be closest to Earth when we're both in the same part of our orbits is Venus. The minimum distance between us and Venus is about 25.5 million miles, or about 28% of the distance from earth to the sun.
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While we're on the subject, this is also a good time to mention Mars.
After Venus, Mars is the next nearest planet to Earth. When everything is right, the closest Mars can get to the earth is about 48.5 million miles.
That's more than half the distance from Earth to the sun; at that distance, it takes light (and radio communication with the two rovers on the surface) a little over 4 minutes to travel between Mars and Earth. And that's the closest that Mars can be to Earth.
The next time this will happen will be next January (2010). The night of January 29th will be an exceptionally fine time to go out and have a look.
In the weeks or months before that date, you're sure to hear the usual rumors and scare stories about how Mars is coming so close to the earth that it'll appear bigger than the moon, and life as we know it will come to an end.
Go out and see it any time after sunset on January 29th, just a few hours after the true minimum approach, and you'll see Mars just above the full moon. It'll be red, and really bright ... for Mars ... but nowhere near the size or brightness of the moon, looking a lot more beautiful than dangerous. If life as we know it does not come to an end that night, please remember that you heard it here first, and then go back inside and sleep well. OVERALL VENUS IS THE CLOSEST FOR THE LONGEST TIME
Venus is the closest planet to the Earth
EDIT:
Mercury travels closer than mars at the minimum distance of 44,7 million km.
Venus.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoVenus is 26 million miles from Earth and Mars is further away.
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What is the furtherest planet from the earth?
Right now Uranus. Since Pluto is now only considered a dwarf planet.
Which planet is closest to the sun and which is farthest?
Mercury is closest to the sun, and Pluto was the farthest away, but it was removed as a planet, and now Neptune is furthest from Sol.
What planet is similar in size to the moon?
if i remember correctly, Pluto was the closest planet to the size of earths moon, but now cause Pluto is so small, it has now been classified as just rock, and not as a planet anymoreMercury
List the planets in order starting with the one closest to the sun?
Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto used to be a planet but was removed and is now called a dwarf planet because it is too small to fit the criteria of being a planet.
What is the second planet nearest to the sun?
Mercury is closest to the Sun; however, seeing as Pluto is no longer a planet, Mercury is now the smallest planet as well.
What planet are you in right now?
Earth.
What is the name of this planet?
The planet we are on right now is Earth. okay but what if it was earth wouldnt that be cool
What are the 2 closest planets to the earth?
Usually Venus is the closest planet to Earth followed by Mars and that is the case right now. (4/27/2012) There are times that Mars can be closer to Earth than Venus because of orbital positions. Also Mercury can sometimes be closer than Mars or even Venus to Earth. No other planet can ever be one of the closest two planets to Earth.
Is Earth a place?
Earth is a planet. As a matter of fact you live on Earth and are standing on it right now!
What is the furtherest planet from the earth?
Right now Uranus. Since Pluto is now only considered a dwarf planet.
How do you feel about many problems planet earth right now?
bad because our own planet earth has many problems.
Where is the movie eyes of mars playing now?
it is playing on planet Earth right now. Glad i can help. :)
Why is the sun far from earth?
The Sun has a lot of gravity and all the planets in our Solar System orbits it. The planets that were closest to the Sun when it became big, are closest to it now. The Earth id the 3rd planet away from the Sun.
Is the sun far from earth?
The Sun has a lot of gravity and all the planets in our Solar System orbits it. The planets that were closest to the Sun when it became big, are closest to it now. The Earth id the 3rd planet away from the Sun.
What planet used to be the closest to the sun but now it is not?
Mercury has always been the closest planet to the sun, and it probably always will be.
Is the supermoon real?
that's when the moon is its closest to the earth (right now) march 19 2011
What is the nine closest planet from the sun?
Well, Pluto is the nineth closest planet from the sun, but now they have demoted it so now there are only eight that are considered planets, and Pluto is just considered a dwarf planet now.
