The Sun from Pluto: Visibility & Brightness

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the visibility and apparent size of the Sun as viewed from Pluto, exploring the brightness relative to other celestial objects and the potential for distinguishing its size in the night sky. The conversation includes theoretical considerations and comparisons to known astronomical objects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the Sun viewed from Pluto is significantly brighter than the full moon, with estimates varying between 150 to 250 times brighter, depending on Pluto's position in its orbit.
  • It is mentioned that the Sun appears about 0.75 arcminutes from Pluto, which raises questions about whether this size is distinguishable in the night sky.
  • One participant compares the size of the Sun from Pluto to Ceres, suggesting that while Ceres is too dim to see, the Sun would be a very bright point of light.
  • Another participant points out that Jupiter, at its closest approach, measures about 0.8 arcminutes across, which is near the minimum resolution of the human eye, indicating that the Sun would appear as a very bright point of light from Pluto.
  • There is speculation that the Sun's brightness might alter its appearance, potentially making it look larger than 0.75 arcminutes due to diffraction and the imperfections of human vision.
  • Participants agree that the Sun would be the brightest object in the sky from Pluto, although it would not be as bright as it appears from Earth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While there is general agreement that the Sun would be a very bright object from Pluto, there is uncertainty regarding its apparent size and how it would be perceived visually. Multiple viewpoints exist regarding the effects of brightness on its appearance and the comparison to other celestial objects.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the exact visual characteristics of the Sun from Pluto, including its size and the potential for visual distortion due to brightness and diffraction. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

grandpa2390
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This has always been something that has interested me. 2 things that I have found from the internet is that 1.) The Sun viewed from Pluto is (150 or 250) times brighter than the full moon. It varies of course depending on where Pluto is in its orbit.
2.) The Sun is about 30 arcminutes viewed from Earth and about .75 arcminutes when viewed from Pluto.

If these two things are true, Then that means that the sun will certainly be (very) visible from pluto, but I can't help but wonder what size. Is there something in the night sky that is roughly .75 arcminutes. is that even something that could be distinguished? I think it is, at times, the size of Ceres from Earth. But Ceres is too dim for us to see.

It just boggles my mind. I want to look up at the night sky, see an object and say, ok that is what the sun looks like from pluto if it were 2000x brighter (or whatever)
 
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grandpa2390 said:
Is there something in the night sky that is roughly .75 arcminutes. is that even something that could be distinguished? I think it is, at times, the size of Ceres from Earth. But Ceres is too dim for us to see.

Jupiter at closest approach is 50 arcseconds across, or about 0.8 arcminutes. It's just under the minimum resolution of the eye (about 1 arcmin depending on the person).

So on Pluto you'd look up and see a very, very bright point of light.
 
Drakkith said:
Jupiter at closest approach is 50 arcseconds across, or about 0.8 arcminutes. It's just under the minimum resolution of the eye (about 1 arcmin depending on the person).

So on Pluto you'd look up and see a very, very bright point of light.

That is so crazy. some have said it would be painful to look at. Would it even look like a point. Like maybe the brightness would change its appearance?
 
It would certainly look larger than 0.75 arcminutes just from diffraction and the fact that your eye isn't perfect. Just like how the Sun from Earth looks much larger than 30 arcminutes.
 
From Pluto the Sun would certainly be the brightest object in the sky.
It would be nowhere near as bright as the Sun seen as seen from Earth though;
but probably resolvable as more than a point source
 

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