Kim Boyd, age 10, of Henderson, Nev., for her question:

WHY DOES VENUS LOOK SO BRIGHT?

Venus is the first planet or star that can be seen in the western sky in the evening. At other times it is the last planet or star that can be seen in the eastern sky in the morning.

Venus, as seen from the earth, is brighter than any other planet or even any star. The reason for this is that no other planet comes closer to the earth than Venus. At its closest approach, it is only about 25 million miles away. In vast space distances, that's rather close.

often called the earth's twin, Venus is very similar in size. Venus is only about 360 miles smaller in diameter than the earth.

Venus was named in honor of the Roman goddess of love and beauty.

Ancient astronomers called the bright morning planet Phosphorus and the Evening Star was called Hesperus. Later, the astronomers realized these objects were the same planet.