Lunar occultation of Venus

Just in the door after observing the lunar occultation of Venus. Interesting to see. It took approx 30secs for the illuminated side of the disc of Venus to disappear. We were fortunate with the weather - not too often does the good weather coincide with a significant astronomical event. Hope you call got a chance to see it too.
Rumour has it that Dave and Frank are driving the Obsessionator somewhere out in the mid-Atlantic to catch a good view...look forward to their report later.

Michael.

Just in myself what a sight manage to get a photo of it but due to it been so bright took awhile to find. Well worth the effort!

I brought two pairs of binos to work, we all don't have bosses to allow us time off for such major events:( . Myself and a colleague viewed the event, he had the 10X50s and I had the 15X70s, tripod mounted.

Because Venus was disappearing on the darkside I was expecting a "now you see it, now you don't" event, but to me it looked like it slowly faded before going behind the moon. Because we know better I would have said that it passed through an atmosphere.

I'll be on my way home for the re-emergence, but I have a spot picked out where I can witness it.

I wonder will it slowly brighten as it reappears?

Paul

lunartic wrote:

Because Venus was disappearing on the darkside I was expecting a "now you see it, now you don't" event, but to me it looked like it slowly faded before going behind the moon...

I wonder will it slowly brighten as it reappears?

Hi Paul,
it is the apparent size of Venus. It is quite large after all. You can even notice its phase of brightness. Therefore, it would appear as diminishing in brightness, rather than a sudden drop just like a star (as a star is MUCH smaller than a planet at apparent diameter). The reappearance might not be as dramatic however as it is appearing against the bright part of the Moon.

Seanie.

Well, if the disapearance was interesting, the reappearance was spectacular! Like a mini diamond-ring effect that you see at a solar eclipse, except in this case the diamond ring was Venus. VERY nice to watch!! Photo or two to follow shortly.
Michael.

I would say its event of the year for me anyway :ohmy: