Which planet in our solar system is commonly called the Morning Star or the Evening Star when seen from Earth in the sky?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests basic astronomy knowledge about the appearance of planets in the sky as seen from Earth. Some planets appear very bright just before sunrise or just after sunset, and over history people have given them special names such as Morning Star and Evening Star. The task is to recall which planet is most famously associated with these names.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The observer is standing on Earth looking at the sky.
• The names Morning Star and Evening Star refer to very bright objects near the horizon at dawn or dusk.
• The options include inner and outer planets of the solar system.
• We assume standard school level astronomical definitions.

Concept / Approach:
Venus is an inner planet whose orbit lies between Earth and the Sun. Because of this, it never appears very far from the Sun in the sky. It is often visible low on the horizon either shortly before sunrise or shortly after sunset. Due to its high reflectivity and thick cloud cover, it appears very bright and was historically named the Morning Star or the Evening Star. The solution approach is to recall which planet is brightest near sunrise and sunset and then eliminate the others.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check in any introductory astronomy resource will confirm that Venus is the brightest planet visible in the evening and morning sky, and that ancient civilizations regularly referred to it by these names. Mercury is sometimes visible but is less prominent and much more difficult to observe, which confirms that Venus is the conventional answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Jupiter is wrong because, while very bright, it can be seen high in the sky at night and is not limited to the dawn or dusk region.
• Mercury is wrong because it is dimmer and harder to observe, and it is not the planet most commonly known as the Morning Star or Evening Star.
• Saturn is wrong because, like Jupiter, it appears at many positions in the sky and is not tied to the appearance at sunrise or sunset.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Mercury because it is also an inner planet and stays close to the Sun. However, the key hint is the traditional naming and extreme brightness. Venus is much brighter and more frequently seen with the naked eye, which is why cultures across history associated Venus with the Morning Star and Evening Star. Focusing on brightness and visibility helps avoid this confusion.

Final Answer:
Venus