Observation by Martin Lewis: Venus nightside 19th June 2023

Uploaded by

Martin Lewis

Observer

Martin Lewis

Observed

2023 Jun 19 - 21:12

Uploaded

2023 Jun 21 - 22:59

Objects

Venus

Equipment

444mm Dobsonian
Uranus C camera
PixelTeq 1010/38nm filter

Location

St Albans, UK

Target name

Venus

Title

Venus nightside 19th June 2023

About this image

Here is my fully processed attempt from 19th June with the best 85% of 12mins of video. Alta Regio and Maat Mons region clearly seen at 10'oclock position. Some diffuse lighter features too running diagonally through Alta Regio possibly cloud but possibly artefacts.

Details on the image but 444mm f4.5 Uranus C with protection glass removed and PixleTeq 1010/38nm filter.

Martin

Files associated with this observation

Venus_2023-06-19_2112_IR_MLe.png (170.6 kB)

Like this image

Bill Leatherbarrow, Chris Hooker, Steve Knight, Andy Wilson, Mike Harlow, Gerard Cauchi, Dr Paul Leyland, Paul G. Abel, David Davies, Ron Johnson, Martina McGovern

Comments

Chris Hooker, 2023 Jun 22 - 06:32 UTC

Excellent image, Martin, but the spider diffraction is reducing the contrast of the nightside significantly, which is a shame.

Martin Lewis, 2023 Jun 22 - 21:01 UTC

Yes Chris, in 2020 the relative orientation was perfect with the nightside directly between the spikes but this apparition I'm not so lucky. Can't rotate the top of the scope to move the spike positions though, unfortunately.

Dr Paul Leyland, 2023 Jun 24 - 20:41 UTC

Possibly silly questions: is it possible to measure the scattered light from the spiders where it is clear from the planet. I guess that it is. If so, that will give an estimate for three of the four diffraction spikes.

Given that, can one synthesize the scattered light which would form the fourth spike? Once more, I would expect so.

Third, could one use the four diffraction spikes as a synthetic flat image? Once more, I don't see why not.

Finally, would dividing the image shown above by that flat improve the contrast on the dark side of the planet? I have no idea and would have to suck it and see.

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