Venus

[mikeDnight]

Often overlooked due to its apparent lack of detail, Venus can be a surprisingly interesting visual target. No filters were used in any of the attached sketches and being observed through 100mm refractor using a prism diagonal, the orientation is north top with preceeding to the left.

 

Edited March 2, 2020 by mikeDnight

[JeremyS]

Superb drawing, @mikeDnight. Great that you could see that detail.

The fact that you were able to use the HR 1.6 mm eyepiece is a testament to the Tak's optics (and seeing conditions!).

Was it the standard 1.25-inch Tak prism diagonal?

[Stu]

I still have no idea how you do that Mike, but must get my Tak on it soon and see whether I can see anything at all, following your advice.

[JeremyS]

26 minutes ago, Stu said:

I still have no idea how you do that Mike, but must get my Tak on it soon and see whether I can see anything at all, following your advice.

You might have to buy your Vixen HR eyepieces back, Stu 🤔

[chiltonstar]

A superb sketch indeed Mike! The best view I've ever had of the cloud patterns was some years ago with my 102mm f13 refractor at x200 ( a £20 EP!) with a Wratten 80A. I was hosting a "mini-star party" for colleagues, and Venus was a nice crescent at that time. All those present could see the cloud patterns very clearly. Since then, I've had intermittent views, but never as good. 

Chris

Edited March 2, 2020 by chiltonstar

[Ruud]

Fabulous sketches, Mike!

[Stu]

30 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

You might have to buy your Vixen HR eyepieces back, Stu 🤔

I shall have to Barlow the socks off the Leica Zoom!

[Mark at Beaufort]

Excellent sketches Mike - I have never seen cloud markings on Venus - perhaps I should buy a Tak as it appears to tick all the boxes in planetary observing.

[Stu]

16 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Excellent sketches Mike - I have never seen cloud markings on Venus - perhaps I should buy a Tak as it appears to tick all the boxes in planetary observing.

If my experience with my Tak is anything to go by Mark, I think you will also need to upgrade to a pair of Mark V Mike Hezzlewood bionic eyeballs aswell 😉

[Mark at Beaufort]

1 hour ago, Stu said:

If my experience with my Tak is anything to go by Mark, I think you will also need to upgrade to a pair of Mark V Mike Hezzlewood bionic eyeballs aswell 😉

Thanks Stu - I think at my age I definitely will need bionic eyeballs.

[mikeDnight]

5 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Superb drawing, @mikeDnight. Great that you could see that detail.

The fact that you were able to use the HR 1.6 mm eyepiece is a testament to the Tak's optics (and seeing conditions!).

Was it the standard 1.25-inch Tak prism diagonal?

Yes, just a cheap as chips Tak prism diagonal, nothing fancy. 

[mikeDnight]

5 hours ago, Stu said:

I still have no idea how you do that Mike, but must get my Tak on it soon and see whether I can see anything at all, following your advice.

I usually look for the brightest areas first, which are nearly always the cusps then the limb. Then I observe the terminator to see if there are any bright regions, and then the main surface. It's all very subtle, but things may become a little more obvious with a blue wrattan 80 or 80A filter,  or yellow 11 to 14.   Orange W21helps with albedo features on Mars so it might also help with the subtle shadings in Venus cloud tops though I can't remember ever trying it, but I suspect I have. 

[mikeDnight]

4 hours ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Excellent sketches Mike - I have never seen cloud markings on Venus - perhaps I should buy a Tak as it appears to tick all the boxes in planetary observing.

FLO should hand them out free of charge to moderators! 

[mikeDnight]

3 hours ago, Stu said:

If my experience with my Tak is anything to go by Mark, I think you will also need to upgrade to a pair of Mark V Mike Hezzlewood bionic eyeballs aswell 😉

I'm not sure about that Stu. I can't focus on a thing within a metre of my face without wearing spec's. I put everything down to having a reasonably good planetary site with a reasonably steady atmosphere much of the time. The spec's do make me look more intelligent though!

[Mark at Beaufort]

Well I have just viewed Venus with my 12" Dob and 6mm Ethos EP - mag - 253x. The image was very sharp but could not see any surface markings. I accept I am really a DSO observer so perhaps I need more training.

[mikeDnight]

8 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Well I have just viewed Venus with my 12" Dob and 6mm Ethos EP - mag - 253x. The image was very sharp but could not see any surface markings. I accept I am really a DSO observer so perhaps I need more training.

May be its too bright in the 12" Mark?  I remember struggling to see much detail on a 5" arc Mars in a 10" F6, but in the 100mm refractor it was more obvious, though not easy.

[Mike JW]

Excellent presentation. Mike

[niallk]

Very impressive Mike!

[mikeDnight]

Thanks to everyone for all the encouraging words. I hope all can keep on observing Venus despite it being difficult. And despite the obvious difficulty in seeing such ultra-subtle detail, I feel certain that others will see it with persistance and the all important steady seeing. ☺

Edited March 7, 2020 by mikeDnight

[Alan White]

I studied Venus last night with the ED103s.
But the seeing was pants, so no chance of detail.
One day I will get that steady and transparent night when not working, one day.