Venus in Daylight

While this photo is certainly not the most spectacular you will see on Astromart, I think it's so cool that you can now see Venus during the daytime. I took this about 3:50 pm today from southeastern CT. Venus is in the upper right corner, clouds to the left. This was with my Nikon D80 and no scope.

George

Attached Image:

Scott Mortimer said:

Wow, so you were able to see it naked eye as well?? that IS cool, I've never done that, will have to give it a try-

Scott

Scott,

If the skies are clear, it is not hard to do. Find out when Venus transits and is highest in the sky from your location and note the altitude. Stand to the east of a building in the shade near the transit time, and just scan the southern sky at about the right altitude. I find I always underestimate how high to look.

One problem I have is my eye's apparent inability to focus at infinity when looking at a blue sky. Often a few clouds or a passing plan can be helpful here and make it easier to spot Venus.

If you can't find it by eye alone, search it out with binoculars first. Once you find it, I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is to see, and wonder why you didn't spot it a little sooner.

Clear skies, Alan

Scott:
Hello, Alan gave great advise on how to see it and I too underestimated the elevation. Today is too cloudy here, but I'll be looking for it everyday. I'd like to find what the earliest in the day I can see it is. It was actually easier to find by eye than through the camera.

George

I found it just after 4:00 PM today without any trouble. It was also pretty easy to spot from inside through one of the south facing windows.

Clear skies, Alan