The astronomers of Venus, on the other hand, can study the earth under the most favorable conditions of observation--that is to say, when it is nearest to them and when, being in opposition to the sun, its whole disk is fully illuminated.

In fact, there is no planet in the entire system which enjoys an outlook toward a sister world comparable with that which Venus enjoys with regard to the earth.

If there be astronomers upon Venus, armed with telescopes, it is safe to guess that they possess a knowledge of the surface of the earth far exceeding in minuteness and accuracy the knowledge that we possess of the features of any heavenly body except the moon.

They must long ago have been able to form definite conclusions concerning the meteorology and the probable habitability of our planet.
It certainly tends to increase our interest in Venus when, granting that she is inhabited, we reflect upon the penetrating scrutiny of which the earth may be the object whenever Venus--as happens once every 584 days--passes between us and the sun.

The spectacle of our great planet, glowing in its fullest splendor in the midnight sky, pied and streaked with water, land, cloud, and snow, is one that might well excite among the astronomers of another world, so fortunately placed to observe it, an interest even greater than that which the recurrence of total solar eclipses occasions upon the earth.