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    Venus Amateur Observing Project

    Sample Images

    Figure 1: U-Band filtered images of Venus taken using a 235mm Schmitt-Cassegrain SCT telescope and a SAC-8 CCD camera in video mode
    An example of routine monitoring of Venus, with images taken at approximately the same time of day between the 8 March & 18 April 2004. Changing cloud structure is apparent on the planet. The resolution of individual images varies from day to day due to differences in the seeing conditions (atmospheric turbulence). Over the course of the 6 week observing period the phase and apparent diameter of the planet changed significantly.
    All images by Jason Hatton (jason.hattonesa.int)
     
    Figure 2: Filtered images of Venus, 13 October 2004
    A set of images showing the changing appearance of Venus at different wavelengths. Both the U-band (ultraviolet) and W47+Infrared blocking (violet) images show cloud structure, which is most apparent in the ultra-violet images. In contrast the planet was largely featureless in the visible and near infrared images.
    All images obtained by Jason Hatton using a 235mm SCT from Mill Valley, California (jason.hattonesa.int)
     

    Figure 3: Faint markings detected in the infrared, 2 October 2004
    Routine monitoring is important to detect unusual features. In this set of images, a faint dusky marking in the northern hemisphere is detectable in the infrared (most prominent in the strongly processed 850LP image). Several other observers detected similar features in the infrared around the same time.
    All images obtained by Jason Hatton using a 235mm SCT from Mill Valley, California (jason.hattonesa.int)

    Taking Observations
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    Last Update: 11 Jan 2008

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