Earth and Sky:Moon and Venus月球和金星

Moon and Venus月球和金星

The planet Venus is now low in the west after sunset. It's not up for long after the sun goes down, but it's very, very bright. Learn how to see Venus tonight near Earth's companion moon -- today on Earth and Sky.

JB: This is Earth and Sky. Earth's ozone¹ layer protects us from the sun's ultraviolet -- or UV, radiation. Ozone depletion² has been blamed for an increase in skin cancers in human beings.

DB: And this radiation seems to have a negative effect on plants as well. Jay Skiles is a scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.

JB: This is Earth and Sky -- Monday, September 9. The planet Venus is still up after sunset. But it's lower in the sky now than it was a month ago.

DB: Still, this is a wonderful time to see Venus if you have a clear view to the western horizon. That's because the planet is approaching what's called "greatest brilliancy" when Venus appears at its brightest in Earth's sky. And for Venus, the brightest planet, that's very brilliant indeed -- so that UFO reports always increase each time Venus reaches another greatest brilliancy in the evening sky.

JB: Greatest brilliancy for Venus will happen later this month, on September 26. But tonight is a good time to start watching this planet -- because tonight Venus is right next to the waxing crescent moon. You'll find Venus and the moon in the west after sunset. There's a little star to the lower right of Venus -- and this star is Spica in the constellation³ Virgo.

DB: The moon will continue to wax larger in our sky. It'll pull away from Venus in the coming evenings. But you can continue to look for Venus after sunset for about another month. In mid-to-late October this planet will disappear in the sun's glare. It'll pass between the Earth and sun on October 31 -- Halloween.

JB: A few days or weeks after that, you'll be up before the sun some morning -- and find Venus shining brightly in the predawn sky. Special thanks today to Research Corporation -- a foundation for the advancement⁴ of science. We're Block and Byrd for Earth and Sky.

1 ozone   

n.臭氧，新鲜空气

参考例句：

• The ozone layer is a protective layer around the planet Earth.臭氧层是地球的保护层。
• The capacity of ozone can adjust according of requirement.臭氧的产量可根据需要或调节。

2 depletion   

n.耗尽，枯竭

参考例句：

• Increased consumption of water has led to rapid depletion of groundwater reserves.用水量的增加导致了地下水贮备迅速枯竭。
• Farmers should rotate crops every season to prevent depletion of the soil.农夫每季应该要轮耕，以免耗尽土壤。

3 constellation   

n.星座n.灿烂的一群

参考例句：

• A constellation is a pattern of stars as seen from the earth. 一个星座只是从地球上看到的某些恒星的一种样子。
• The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. 北斗七星本身不是一个星座。

4 advancement   

n.前进，促进，提升

参考例句：

• His new contribution to the advancement of physiology was well appreciated.他对生理学发展的新贡献获得高度赞赏。
• The aim of a university should be the advancement of learning.大学的目标应是促进学术。