Venus is well placed in the daytime sky for observing. We now see a little less than half the sunlit side of our sister planet and it is approaching 30". Observing during the daytime eliminates the glare that hampers observations under darker skies, and allows Venus to be viewed when it is higher and likely favored by steadier skies.
The shadings in Venus's cloud cover are subtle, and can be a challenge.
As the RASC Observer's Handbook offers, "The subtle structure in the cloud tops is difficult to observe, but too few observers even give it a try. The best times to look are just before Venus's first quarter to mid-gibbous. A violet filter can enhance the visibility of atmospheric structure, and imaging through a UV filter will show cloud details." Although I've been following Venus by eye during the day, I admit it has been a long time since I've turned a serious telescope in its direction under blue skies.
Even if you don't spot any cloud detail, it will be fun to follow the daytime Venus until in reaches a slender crescent almost 60" in diameter. And persistence may pay off one day.
Here are transit times for several cities across the United States. (My apologies to my friends in other countries for not expanding the list, but it would have been tough to make everyone happy.) If you visit http://www.heavens-above.com/ and set up your location, the transit time for Venus is listed under "Planet Summary Data" under the Astronomy section. Obviously, any planetarium software can also provide the transit time.
Boston 2:54 PM EST
Chicago 3:01 PM CST
Kansas City 3:29 PM CST
Denver 3:10 PM MST
Salt Lake City 3:38 PM MST
San Francisco 3:20 PM PST
Clear skies, Alan
The shadings in Venus's cloud cover are subtle, and can be a challenge.
As the RASC Observer's Handbook offers, "The subtle structure in the cloud tops is difficult to observe, but too few observers even give it a try. The best times to look are just before Venus's first quarter to mid-gibbous. A violet filter can enhance the visibility of atmospheric structure, and imaging through a UV filter will show cloud details." Although I've been following Venus by eye during the day, I admit it has been a long time since I've turned a serious telescope in its direction under blue skies.
Even if you don't spot any cloud detail, it will be fun to follow the daytime Venus until in reaches a slender crescent almost 60" in diameter. And persistence may pay off one day.
Here are transit times for several cities across the United States. (My apologies to my friends in other countries for not expanding the list, but it would have been tough to make everyone happy.) If you visit http://www.heavens-above.com/ and set up your location, the transit time for Venus is listed under "Planet Summary Data" under the Astronomy section. Obviously, any planetarium software can also provide the transit time.
Boston 2:54 PM EST
Chicago 3:01 PM CST
Kansas City 3:29 PM CST
Denver 3:10 PM MST
Salt Lake City 3:38 PM MST
San Francisco 3:20 PM PST
Clear skies, Alan
