Naked eye Venus spiking like hands on a clock

From Upstate NY...temps in the teens...

I'm getting very prominent triangular spikes...dim at the 2PM position,
bright and longer at 4 or 5PM and dim at 6PM or 7PM...

Has anyone paid attention to the spike lengths and positions as the
phase changes?

Are they affected by weather (can you judge sky quality by their
properties)?

Thanks for the info. I've been wondering about this for a while.

--
Clear Skies,

Paul Murphy


(remove gemini to email me)

I get the same effect, but I've always figured it's just due to defects
in my eyes... astigmatism, early cataracts, lost socks, etc. While I'd
expect the brightness of the tiny light source would affect the
appearance a bit, I haven't paid enough attention to say exactly how.
Marty

Marty wrote:
I get the same effect, but I've always figured it's just due to defects
in my eyes... astigmatism, early cataracts, lost socks, etc. While I'd
expect the brightness of the tiny light source would affect the
appearance a bit, I haven't paid enough attention to say exactly how.
Marty



In Paul's case and location, I figured it was just ice crystals :-)

"Marty" wrote

I get the same effect, but I've always figured it's just due to defects
in my eyes... astigmatism, early cataracts, lost socks, etc. While I'd
expect the brightness of the tiny light source would affect the
appearance a bit, I haven't paid enough attention to say exactly how.

What color socks?

I am glad not to be the only one. I have always had an astigmatism,
but now I see coma with my contacts or/glasses -- though may just need
a new prescription. I was excited, however, to see the new corrective
eyepiece lenses in the latest S&T (forgot the manufacturer). Will be
checking these out, hopefully.

Erik
socalsw

"Erik" wrote in message
ups.com...

I am glad not to be the only one. I have always had an astigmatism,
but now I see coma with my contacts or/glasses -- though may just need
a new prescription. I was excited, however, to see the new corrective
eyepiece lenses in the latest S&T (forgot the manufacturer). Will be
checking these out, hopefully.

Also, check out this older sci.astro.amateur thread:
http://tinyurl.com/a2kja

Erik
socalsw
--
I.N. Galidakis --- http://ioannis.virtualcomposer2000.com/

Also, check out this older sci.astro.amateur thread:
http://tinyurl.com/a2kja

I will try rotating my head and see if the position of the spikes
changes. I used to have a mild astigmatism, but the eye doc said it went
away last exam. Sounds like for Venus (never Sirius or Jupter, though)
it is just bright enough to bring out spikes for my eyes.

I really think it's most pronounced in the cresent phase (like now). I
don't know what the angular resolution of the naked eye is or if it's
possible for me to be affected, but I appear to be most sensitive to the
cresent of light rather than Sirius or Jupiter, which present a full disc.


--
Clear Skies,

Paul Murphy


(remove gemini to email me)

Howard Lester was asking
What color socks?

I'm not sure. I think I have something in my eye...
Marty