Venus 04/03/10

[yeti monster]

Having checked HA for when and where I might see Venus, I made a plan to take the 114mm newt to the top of the summer grazing field, which gives an excellent view westward, down the valley. I set up around 17:20 and waited for the sun to fully set. Then, using the 40mm EP, started panning for Venus. It didn't take too long to find the bright orb and once found I swapped EPs for a 12mm, then a 4mm, but with the 114 newt, 4 mm just doesn't get it clear enough, so back up to 10mm.

Venus seems to be presenting a good disc, which would suggest it is in opposition at present. I kept watching as the sky darkened and Venus slowly dropped toward the horizon, eventually I was able to make her out with naked eye, the view was very similar to the view I got of Mercury last month at work.

Once Sirius became visible and a few more stars too, I packed up and returned to the hoose where I started to prepare the 10" SNT for an evenings viewing. Venus, by then, was too low for me to use the 10", but I may try again tomorrow evening from a west facing area I have yet to try but whaich is near enough to the house to enable me to carry the BIG scope to.

[Demonperformer]

Sorry to be pedantic, Venus can never be at opposition [sun-earth-venus] as its orbit is inside the earth's. It is a full [small] disc when at superior conjunction [venus-sun-earth] a half disc when at maximum elongation [v/s/e form right angle triangle with the sun at the right angle] and very thin crescent ['new'] when at inferior conjunction [sun-venus-earth] which is also when a transit can occur.

Excellent on seeing it just now - not at its easiest. Still waiting for my first good telescope view of it - and can't wait for April 8 and thereabouts for Mercury.

[yeti monster]

"It is a full [small] disc when at superior conjunction [venus-sun-earth] "

that's what I meant............

[DarkerSky]

Ahhh Venus...I'd forgotten about her. Another evening target to add to the list!