Venus 1.3% illuminated

[tornado33]

Thought Id have a go at finding Venus as it runs towards Inferior Conjunction on Jan 12. Today, it is 1.3% illuminated. I used the Argo Navis aligning on the Sun with my 10 inch f5.6 scope. Manually pushed it to where the Argo Navis indicated Venus would be, removed solar filter and there she was. Quite readily visible through the camera viewfinder. Shot a quick video, seeing nowhere near as good as in Shahgazer's pic. I wonder if I can push my luck and image it at Conjunction?
Scott

[h0ughy]

well thats thin and crispy - well done SCott

[N1]

Hi Scott,

Yes you can. It is easier than you think. Only element of actual luck you really need relates to the weather on Saturday. You want blue skies (duh!) and little wind. Other than that, I usually just take EXTREME care, keeping the aperture fully shaded by some solid object & have a second person watch the front end of my scope while I look through it to ensure I am keeping it in the shade. IMHO the whole pointing thing can and should be done manually too. If you know generally which side of the Sun to look, Venus couldn't possibly be missed, assuming the "shadow-generator" has been set up appropriately :doh:.

I took this single shot (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=152241) at 100x mainly for documentation on the day after the phenomenal Transit of Venus in 2012. The actual view was exquisite, second only to the Baily's Beads during last year's ASE in northern OZ. The other pics (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=1035890#post103589 0) in the post include one of the big V taken just a few days shy of the last superior conjunction at what must have been just about maximum surface brightness (phase 99.8%). Essentially looking at an object almost directly behind the sun.

Great pic btw, and good to see some people having a go at some of the more rewarding parts of daytime observation. Magnificent views await :D.

Cheers Mirko

[tornado33]

Gee thats an amazing image Mirko
Scott

[N1]

Thanks Scott,

I look forward to some conjunction images from you and the others on here. Im in NZ right now and the forecast for the 11th is a bit sketchy, so Im not sure if I will be able to observe it myself. I do not think it will go annular this time; separation of 5.1 deg will be too great. But you should still get more than 3/4 of the full circle.

Clear skies!

Mirko

[multiweb]

Nice catch. :thumbsup: Saw the moon Sunday at the pool around 5:00pm lying on my back just right up ahead by luck. It was very thin. Couldn't see the crescent without my sunnies. Almost no contrast.