I observed the extremely thin crescent Venus earlier today in the day sky. This is just two days before the historic transit of Venus on June 5th.
I used a Celestron CPC1100 goto scope to locate Venus. In preparation, I aligned the scope and last night and set it on hibernate. I was able to switch the telescope off and restart it today.
Venus was surprisingly easy to spot. I didn't expect the crescent to have much contrast against the bright background sky, but it resembled white cord of brightness gradually fading at either end. At times I was able discern nearly an entire circle of illumination. Venus was still a few degrees from the sun, and I was careful not to get an accidental glimpse of the sun.
I have located Venus in the day before, but never with a goto scope and with Venus so close to the sun. This was a lot of fun. Thanks.
I used a Celestron CPC1100 goto scope to locate Venus. In preparation, I aligned the scope and last night and set it on hibernate. I was able to switch the telescope off and restart it today.
Venus was surprisingly easy to spot. I didn't expect the crescent to have much contrast against the bright background sky, but it resembled white cord of brightness gradually fading at either end. At times I was able discern nearly an entire circle of illumination. Venus was still a few degrees from the sun, and I was careful not to get an accidental glimpse of the sun.
I have located Venus in the day before, but never with a goto scope and with Venus so close to the sun. This was a lot of fun. Thanks.
Michael Aaron McNeely
TeleVue Forum Moderator
Astromart.com