[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Kaibis

Thanks Allan,
Another question... do the planets 'rise' in the same way that the moon/sun does. ie begin low on the horizon and pass over... or is it more like the ISS, where it can be higher on the horizon but disappear because the earth obstructs the light from the sun??

Yes, Cassie,
Planets rise and traverse in the same way that the sun and moon do.
They are far enough away that they are not effected by the shadow of the earth (like the moon and satellites).

There is a line called the ecliptic that the planets follow in their path from rise - transit - set. The ecliptic moves a little further north in Winter, south in summer. Thats why the sun is often shaded for houses by their eaves in summer, but can be lower in the sky and miss the eaves, in winter.