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Old 24-06-2010, 07:56 PM
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astroron (Ron)
Supernova Searcher

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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cambroon Queensland Australia
Posts: 9,326
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu Ward View Post
I've struggled to get a decent view of Venus, as i get home quite late and its already very low in the sky.

I know that it is permanently cloud covered. but being close to Earth relatively speaking i thought it may be a reasonable viewing experience

However on the few occasions that i have got to take a glance it has looked like nothing more than a foggy star, with a cross of light through the eyepiece

My 8" Dob is collimated and gives excellent views of Deep Sky objects, Saturn looks crisp as anything too

Is Venus really so disappointing, Mars was a big letdown too

Thanks

Stu
Stu, because Venus is normally low in the sky, and even more so it seems as you get home is effected by atmospherice conditions.
As you say it is covered by cloud,but under favourable conditions does show phases like the Moon.
Use a blue, orange or even a Moon filter to cut down on the scintilation
and you will get a better view.
Mars is past it's best of this apparition so is not very good for small telescopes.
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