[videoguy]

Hi all

Some of you may find the attached image of interest being my latest attempt at imaging Venus in an unusual light. It's a stack of 500 (not sorted) images using a 1-micron filter and monochrome CCD camera. The phase (actually only 16-17% illuminated) is grossly exaggerated here due to the use of the cameras onboard frame integration function which effectively creates a longer duration exposure in order to reveal the faint thermal emissions from the planets surface radiating back through the clouds. Clearly the limb on the planets night side is visible. When I get some more time, I'll go through the sharpest frames recorded and process the final image to hopefully reveal more accurate structure to the amorphous dark patches that appear to be showing up against the thermal background radiation.

This is my 3rd run at imaging the thermal night side of Venus. It was just as fascinating tonight as it was last year although the seeing was far less forgiving compared to the morning imaging I undertook last year when ambient conditions are usually more favorable. As its illuminated side shrinks over the coming days I'll attempt to capture more of the night side hemisphere. For now though, this is all I have for show and tell.