Signs of Life on the ‘Morning Star’

“Bintang Kejora” is actually a planet, Venus. In the past, all bright objects in the sky were called stars, and no distinction was made between stars, planets, meteors or comets as modern astronomy does.

KOMPAS/ESO

Illustration of the surface of Venus protected by a thick atmosphere. The presence of sulfuric acid on the planet allows lightning to occur.

“I look at the sky full of scattered stars. They twinkle simply like diamonds. One of them appears with brightest light. That\'s my star, the beautiful Morning Star.”

Indonesian children are likely to be familiar with the song "Bintang Kejora" (Morning Star) by A.T. Mahmud. At dawn Tuesday (15/9/2020), the Kejora was seen on the eastern horizon. Its light is very bright and its presence that always accompanies the sun makes this object easy to recognize.