Is this true?

RobS · #1 (**permalink**) 18-11-2010, 07:28 PM

I've recently read a book about Brooke Bond PG Tips cards. One of the sets described is from the early 1960s (and is wonderful) and the card for Venus states that it can be seen even in brilliant sunshine.

Is this true? If so can someone point me in the direction of seeing it in the day please.

Thanks

Rob S

turkeyneck · #2 (**permalink**) 18-11-2010, 08:02 PM

Well I've seen venus in daylight as the sun is still in the sky but as for briiliant sunshine, I'm not sure, one for nytecam I think

nytecam · #3 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 07:17 AM

Venus CAN be seen in full daylight when well clear of the sun and your eyes are shaded from sunlight IF you know PRECISELY where to look - so possible but by no means easy

RobS · #4 (**permalink**) 19-11-2010, 08:07 AM

That's fascinating and thanks for the post. Perhaps you could PM me the next time it might happen!

I guess that is also true of the ISS then?

Rob S

nytecam · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 04:37 PM

see my recent post here on Venus

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 06:57 PM

Patrick Moore even stated that the light from Venus can even cast a visible shadow.

It's been mentioned before, but anyone that has the slightest interest in the nightsky, should get the free program 'Stellarium':

Stellarium

Incidentally, it will also show the position of Venus during the daytime.

Jim

hatless · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 11:32 PM

I managed to see Venus in full daylight early last summer when it was trailing the sun by about 30 degrees (three fists at arms length). It's not easy. I managed to find it with binoculars, and could just see it with the naked eye when I knew where it was, but each time it took me about ten minutes to find it.

It looks very bright when you do spot it, like an aircraft catching the sun.

hatless · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2010, 11:50 PM

If you go to the Heavens Above website you can find the Right Ascension for the sun and the planets.

If I've got it right, the sun is currently at about 16 and a half hours, and Venus at about 14. That means that Venus is two and a half hours ahead of the sun, and therefore is a morning star. Two and a half hours is about 40 degrees (42.5), a long way for Venus, and about four fist widths. So, find the sun (at any time, as long as it's before 1pm, when Venus will be setting), then hold your fist at arms length, just to the right of the sun, and three times move it to the right of where it just was (if that makes sense). Allow for the angle of the ecliptic, which is a shallow curve at this time of year. The right edge of your fourth fist will be about 40 degrees away from the sun.

If you're using binoculars you will, of course be very careful not to stray towards the sun, but 40 degrees is a good margin for safety. Scan slowly up and down the vertical 40 degree line. Try a line to left and right. I found it hard to 'see' Venus at first, so search slowly and give your eyes a chance to focus. The bright blue image of an empty sky is difficult for your eyes to handle.

A fun way to pass a few minutes in the sunshine, and quite something when you see it.

treecreeper · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Patrick Moore even stated that the light from Venus can even cast a visible shadow.

It's been mentioned before, but anyone that has the slightest interest in the nightsky, should get the free program 'Stellarium':

Stellarium

Incidentally, it will also show the position of Venus during the daytime.

Jim

Excellent program, but you might have be careful how you start it up. I installed it on Windows XP. It completed without any error messages and put a shortcut on the desktop, but it refuses to start when I click this shortcut. However, on the Start menu it has set up a second exe with label 'Stellarium no OpenGL2' and this works fine.