Verna and Bob's Weblog

June 2012

Venus at Mid-Transit

mid-transit.jpgThis image taken yesterday at about 18:24 Arizona time, is the approximate mid point of the transit of Venus. I adjusted the image such that ecliptic north is up. Venus moved from left to right across the northern hemisphere of the solar disc.

Image: Venus at Mid-Transit. Camera: Canon SX-40, Rainbow Symphony Solar Filter, Shutter Speed: 1/2000′, Aperture: F 5.0, Film Speed: ISO 3200. I hand held the camera and did not use a tripod. Click image to enlarge.

We were not able to watch or photograph much more after I took this image, since the terrain at our house rises to the west and apparent sunset is about forty minutes before actual. Regardless, we would not have been able to see Venus exit the disc since that occurred well after sundown here in the 48 contiguous states. We feel lucky that we got to see the midpoint of the transit.

We also feel lucky to have witnessed two solar events in just a little over three weeks, the first semi-rare event being the annular eclipse and this extremely rare Venus transit. The next transit of Venus will be 105 years hence in the year 2117.

June 6, 2012 by Nerdliness Photography Something Shiny

Venus Transit of the Sun Tomorrow – June 5, 2012

transit.JPGTomorrow is the rare solar transit of planet Venus. Even though we’re going to be running errands tomorrow afternoon, we’re taking our cameras, solar filters and eclipse shades in an attempt to witness and record the phenomenon. The event starts at a little after three our time and will still be in progress at sundown. We will be home when Venus reaches the halfway point across the solar disc. We will be using the same cameras and techniques used for the May 20 annular eclipse.

Here’s some information I posted last month:

There is a listing of transit contact events for US cities (and another for international). The closest city listed to our location is Phoenix, AZ. The first event is when the disc of Venus first touches the solar disc occurs at 15:05:55 (Arizona Time); the sun will be 54° above the horizon. The second event is when the other edge of Venus crosses the edge of the sun and occurs at 15:23:32; the sun will be at 50° of elevation. The last transit contact listed is greatest transit which, I assume, is when Venus is halfway across its path over the sun; that occurs at 18:25:24 when the sun is at 13° of elevation.

There is supposed to be a live webcast covering the event. Remember – if you miss this transit, the next one will not be until the year 2117.

June 4, 2012 by Nerdliness Something Shiny

Bishops Cap Flowers – A New Record

bishops-cap-8.jpg

We bought this Bishops cap barrel cactus over ten years ago in the Phoenix area. It lived with us at the California house for most of that time and had flowers most every summer. Since living here in Arizona, it has had many flowers – more and more often – than in the California patio. Today, eight flowers were open simultaneously – a record for this cactus. Click on the image to enlarge.

June 3, 2012 by Home & Garden Photography

Goldfinch Feeder

goldfinch.jpg

I hung out the goldfinch feeders last week in hopes of attracting goldfinches. At first, there were lots of house finches (with the red heads), but, finally, over the last couple of days, the goldfinches have arrived. This is three of them on one of the two finch feeders on the hill above the RV Drive. Click on the image for the full field of view.

June 2, 2012 by Arizona Critters Photography

(Almost) Empty Desert Birds Nest

one-egg.jpg

The two Curve Billed Thrasher chicks have (apparently) fledged from the nest. There is still a matter of an unhatched egg in the nest. We’re not sure if this is a newer egg or if the old one simply did not hatch. We’ll keep an eye on it since I’m almost sure the Thrashers still visit the nest. Click on the image to enlarge.

June 1, 2012 by Arizona Critters Photography

Avalon 1998

Categories

Archives