Venus with walnut filtration.

[alan potts]

Just a quick note really, I was looking at Venus last night with the M/N 190mm as it is still fairly low and the big Dob struggles to get down that far. Also if I am being honest I have never seen much on Venus no matter which scope I use, the best I have managed is a sort of smudge of shade around the central area, this never seems to stop me having a look though.

I was following it for a long while and as it was getting lower I thought the seeing was really going pear shaped as Venus started to take on all sorts of periodic interesing distortions and colours. It was only when I stood up and took a step back I realised I was looking at it throught the branches of one of my walnut trees.

Alan

[cotterless45]

Lucky man ! We used to pickle walnuts early June, then try and beat the squirrels to them later on. Had a low peek at Venus the other evening. The view would be much improved by demolishing a few houses,

old Nick. 

[Dave In Vermont]

Seeing any detailing on Venus is no easy task. Taking images is most productive through filters, and then only subtle light/dark variations might reveal themselves. My guess, as these variations are generally the same, is due to underlying topographical features.

The images I have inserted arn't  my own, so more details on when and how it was done is unknown to me. But a little research will show more information should anyone wish to have a go at it. Specialised 'Venus-Filters' don't come cheap. Last time I looked they ran around $300US. I have an older Schuler Venus-Filter, no longer being produced, but replaced by Astrodon I believe. A less costly No. 47 Violet is said to be almost as good, though.

Venus has always intrigued me -

Dave

 

           

 

 

[Ouroboros]

Chuckle.  I thought walnut filtering must be some new processing technique.

[mikeDnight]

20 hours ago, alan potts said:

Just a quick note really, I was looking at Venus last night with the M/N 190mm as it is still fairly low and the big Dob struggles to get down that far. Also if I am being honest I have never seen much on Venus no matter which scope I use, the best I have managed is a sort of smudge of shade around the central area, this never seems to stop me having a look though.

I was following it for a long while and as it was getting lower I thought the seeing was really going pear shaped as Venus started to take on all sorts of periodic interesing distortions and colours. It was only when I stood up and took a step back I realised I was looking at it throught the branches of one of my walnut trees.

Alan

I'll have to try walnut filtration myself! I've always found the shadings on Venus cloud tops a bit of a challenge. Sometimes I've just tried using any filter I've got handy, including nebula filters, with some success. However, for me I find the easiest way to see detail is to begin by noting the bright areas such as the cusps, and on occasion along the terminator where there's a marked contrast. Another way of possibly improving the prospects of detecting any detail is to stop down a large dob  to 3 or 4", reducing the brilliance of the planet. I've attached a few past doodles!

How long will it take a walnut tree to grow if I plant a nut today? ☺

Mike

 

[alan potts]

Stunning drawings Mike I may well try the stopping down. BTW to get to the size mine are it takes about 80 years, I have 5 of the things and alot of walnuts, they do take out large ares of the shy though so mine were seeded a good distance form where I view. Only luck that they are far enough away and only take out small areas very low down, due south I have nothing at all, again only luck.

Alan