Figure 3-9 RIVUXG The Phases of Venus This series of photographs shows how Venus changes appearance and size as it orbits the Sun. When farthest from Earth, it appears quite small and nearly in a full phase as we see the entirety of its lit face. When closest to Earth, it appears much larger and we are able to see it in its new phase where the side opposite us is illuminated. Note on the largest image, that a thin ring can be seen around Venus as sunlight from the other side passes through Venus’s atmosphere.