Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Venus Transit Progress

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This is a visual summary of the transit as seen from our Arizona home. Starting at the upper left is the first we were able to detect the silhouette of Venus as it just entered into the solar disc. Although we didn’t observe any disciplined schedule of taking images, we went outside every once in a while and snapped several images.

This is a collage of a dozen images from the first noticeable shadow until after the mid-transit image. Ecliptic north lies at about the 2:30 position in the individual images. Notice how atmospheric attenuation darkens the solar disc in the last three or four images taken as the sun approached the horizon.

Click on the image to enlarge.

06 Jun 2012 by Arizona Astronomy Environment Photography Science

Venus at Mid-Transit

mid-transit.jpgThis image taken at about 18:24 Arizona time, is the approximate mid point in 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

We will not be able to watch or photograph much more today since the terrain rises to the west and apparent sunset is about forty minutes before actual. Regardless, we wouldn’t see Venus exit the disc since that will occur 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.

05 Jun 2012 by Astronomy Photography Science

Venus Transit of the Sun Tomorrow – June 5, 2012

transitTomorrow 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’re hoping to get imagery similar to the image at the right. 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.

04 Jun 2012 by Astronomy Science

Goldfinch Feeders

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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 to enlarge.

03 Jun 2012 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

Bishops Cap Flowers – A New Record

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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.

02 Jun 2012 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

New Set of Tires for the Truck

new-tires.jpgI got up early this morning to take the truck to the tire dealer in town. I wound up getting four new Firestone Destination LE tires mounted and installed. Doing some on-line price comparisons, I think I got about the average price, but I’m satisfied with the local dealer and spending the money here in town.

We probably could have gone another few months on the old tires, but Damsel pointed out that summer is almost here (it is 108° here today) and with some near future I-10 desert crossings, it would be appropriate to get them now. We can just picture ourselves on the side of the Interstate halfway between Blythe and Chiriaco Summit waiting for help when it’s 117° outside. Aargh!

One of the four new tires is pictured at the right. Well, it looked brand new at the dealer this morning, but it’s showing the dust and gravel collected along the 500 feet or so of “unimproved road” between the paved road and our concrete driveway. 🙂

Click on the image to enlarge.

01 Jun 2012 by Retirement

Duett Roses

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Today was our grocery shopping day. I usually pick out some flowers to take home and today I picked a dozen of these pretty “Duett” roses. They are very showy with their pinkish orange color. The color is similar to that of salmon steaks or flamingo feathers. Click on the image to enlarge.

31 May 2012 by Flowers Home & Garden Photography

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