Re: Venus issues
- From: W. H. Greer <sendnomail@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:23:34 -0600
On Thu, 22 Mar 2007 20:02:37 GMT, AstroApp wrote:
(with generous snipping here and there)
The usual thing observed here by me, over the years, is that a
beginner asks a pretty clear and obvious question that has a simple
answer, but the response often given is highly obscure. People dredge
up all kinds of arcane possibilities that SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE has once
explored by means of the most advanced techniques imaginable.
Yes, sometimes answers miss the mark; and sometimes they appear to
have ignored the original question entirely. Sometimes they delve
deeply into the esoteric side of things; but usually someone will drop
by and provide a simpler, easier to understand response.
So long as the responses pertain to the topic in some manner; someone,
somewhere may still benefit. In this thread I've provided some input;
and I've taken away some insight. I've gained a greater interest in
observing Venus and reading about historic observations of Venus.
I don't know if Steve, the original poster, has gained useful
information here or not; but several of us have tried to help. It
would be immensely easier if we could simply 'beam' ourselves over and
check out everything first-hand; but we're limited to words that paint
incomplete pictures on glowing computer screens.
But, remember who you are addressing.
Beginners exist not only in the hobby of astronomy; but also in the
realm of newsgroup participation. It's entirely possible that many
who read this will, in the future, strive to give a bit more
consideration to your above quoted point. After all, it is important
to try to provide answers that are both relevant and understandable.
So, to repeat (ad nauseum): Venus is problematical, even for an
experienced observer with a very good telescope. It is very bright,
and atmospheric disturbance tends to make it look worse than Saturn or
Jupiter.
Agreed.
There is nothing wrong with the original poster's telescope, then, if
Saturn and Jupiter look good, but Venus looks poor.
Maybe so, maybe not. We have insufficient information to go on. I
think it was John Herschel who first stated that Venus tends to
exaggerate even the tiniest flaw in one's telescope. In addition,
thermal effects in and around the telescope *might have been* much
worse when observing Venus than when observing Jupiter or Saturn.
Now, I am fully expectant that NOBODY ELSE will agree with me in the
slightest bit; and that almost everybody will take great offense. It
is par for the course, and this realization has tended to discourage
me from posting here.
Unless one person is clearly incorrect; I try not to worry too much
about minor disagreements.
I'm sure that most of us would not want to discourage you from posting
here -- just the opposite! Your posts in this thread alone have
managed to provide additional insights as well as provoking a fuller
discussion concerning some of the problems associated with observing
Venus. Without your input this thread would have died long ago and
the original poster would have gained less insight on his difficulty.
--
Bill
Celestial Journeys
http://cejour.blogspot.com
.
- References:
- Venus issues
- From: Steve & Lizzie
- Re: Venus issues
- From: AstroApp
- Re: Venus issues
- From: AstroApp
- Venus issues
- Prev by Date: Check this out
- Next by Date: Re: double cluster
- Previous by thread: Re: Venus issues
- Next by thread: Whens the next Lunar Eclispe for N.A.?
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
