Record for earliest Venus Crescent observation?

It would be difficult, but not impossible, to observe Venus just after
last contact with the sun. I am wondering what the record is for newest
crescent observation?

Bart F.

nobody wrote:
It would be difficult, but not impossible, to observe Venus just after
last contact with the sun. I am wondering what the record is for newest
crescent observation?

Bart F.

"Newest" would be zero. At most inferior conjunctions, we see Venus go north
or south of the solar disk, as much as 7 degrees, and many years ago there
were projects following it all the way through. (I once made it to
C-3 days myself). I also remember some photos showing the refracted
ring of sunlight complete, which implies within about 1.5 degrees
of the Sun.

(And if you include coronagraphs, SOHO should have no trouble since Venus
is already in its widefield view - but from its location it doesn't quite
see a transit across the photosphere).

Bill Keel

nobody wrote:

It would be difficult, but not impossible, to observe Venus just after
last contact with the sun. I am wondering what the record is for newest
crescent observation?

When there isn't a transit, it's possible to observe it at a negative
age. That is, at one inferior conjunction of its eight-year cycle it
passes a full eight degrees north of the Sun, and one can (I have) see
it both after sunset and before sunrise the same night.

Doug

"Doug O'Neal" wrote in message
...
When there isn't a transit, it's possible to observe it at a negative
age. That is, at one inferior conjunction of its eight-year cycle it
passes a full eight degrees north of the Sun, and one can (I have) see
it both after sunset and before sunrise the same night.

At my latitude (28N) that's still a tough one naked eye. However, I have
seen Venus in binoculars around noon within 12 hours of conjunction when it
was passing well north of the sun.

Clear Skies,
Craig in Tampa