{"id":47042,"date":"2023-07-04T08:00:04","date_gmt":"2023-07-04T08:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=120023"},"modified":"2023-07-04T08:32:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T08:32:31","slug":"catch-crescent-venus-through-your-telescope-in-july","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/catch-crescent-venus-through-your-telescope-in-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Catch crescent Venus through your telescope in July"},"content":{"rendered":"

A telescope will help you observe the beauty of Venus’s phases this month, before the planet fades from view. <\/p>

By Pete Lawrence\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 04 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Venus has been dominant in the UK\u2019s evening sky for months, but during July its position after sunset rapidly deteriorates.<\/p>\n

Although a shame for naked-eye views, it\u2019s through the telescope that things are really starting to get interesting \u2013 the caveat is, you\u2019ll need to find Venus<\/a> during the day.<\/p>\n

Get regular stargazing advice by signing up to receive the BBC Sky at Night Magazine e-newsletter<\/a> and listening to our regular Star Diary podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\""Venus\u2019s\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Venus\u2019s appearance changes dramatically during July, but to see it properly you\u2019ll have to find the planet in daylight. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

In a dark sky, Venus\u2019s brightness works against it through a telescope.<\/p>\n

Its intense glare is jostled by the unsteady seeing<\/a> you get at low altitude after sunset (or before sunrise when it\u2019s in the morning sky).<\/p>\n

During the day, it gets higher and can be seen under steadier conditions. A blue sky also reduces contrast.<\/p>\n

Together these factors make observing Venus in daytime skies a better prospect all-round.<\/p>\n

Locating Venus by day can be done by eye but does take a bit of practice.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s essential that you are aware of solar safety<\/span> at all times to protect your eyesight and equipment.<\/p>\n

Standing in the shadow of a building or other structure is a good way to block any unwanted view of the Sun.<\/p>\n

Using a Go-To-enabled mount pre-aligned the night before will allow you to go to Venus with computer assistance.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, setting circles<\/a> can be very helpful for locating Venus during the day.<\/p>\n

\""Venus\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

Venus in July 2023: key dates<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On 1 July<\/strong>, Venus sets nearly two hours after sunset. This offset decreases all month, and on 31 July Venus sets at the same time as the Sun.<\/p>\n

On 1 July<\/strong>, the planet appears separated from the Sun by 41.8\u00b0.<\/p>\n

Through the eyepiece it appears as a 31%-lit crescent 33 arcseconds across \u2013 a very beautiful sight.<\/p>\n

On 10 July<\/strong>, the separation from the Sun is 37.5\u00b0, the planet setting 80 minutes after the Sun and appearing 23%-lit and 39 arcseconds across.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Photograph\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
As a thin crescent, Venus is an incredible sight through a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

By 20 July<\/strong>, things will <\/span>have changed dramatically. Its separation from the Sun drops to 30.5\u00b0 and it sets 45 minutes after sunset.<\/p>\n

An 8%-lit crescent Moon<\/a> sits 7.1\u00b0 above Venus as seen from the UK. Through an eyepiece, the planet appears 14%-lit and 46 arcminutes across.<\/p>\n

After 20 July<\/strong>, daytime viewing is recommended.<\/p>\n

On 31 July<\/strong> at 14:26 BST (13:26 UT), Venus appears due south at an altitude of 44\u00b0 (half-way up the sky).<\/p>\n

Separated from the Sun by 20.3\u00b0, through a telescope it will appear as a stunning 5%-lit crescent, 53 arcseconds across.<\/p>\n

This guide originally appeared in the July 2023 issue of <\/strong><\/em>BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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