Brightest object last night

A couple of questions there was a very bright object in the east last night,
was it a star or a planet.

And on that note, why is it sometimes Mars appears to be more luminous than
the moon? with the distances that are involved.

"Richard" wrote in message
...
A couple of questions there was a very bright object in the east last
night,
was it a star or a planet.

And on that note, why is it sometimes Mars appears to be more luminous
than
the moon? with the distances that are involved.


My guess it was Venus last night, and again it appeared more luminous?

The moon is a very dark body - if you stood on the surface it
would be like standing on something as dark as tarmac/asphalt.

Venus is mostly cloud and reflects nearly all of the sunlight
so is much brighter in the sky. If the moon had clouds as
bright as venus, a full moon would be bright enough to create
twightlight on earth.

HTH,
Paul.