[AZ-Observing] Another naked eye challenge

I was able to spot Jupiter in binocs at 6pm, but naked eye was
hopeless for me.

But later in the evening I did discover another naked eye challenge. 

My wife (Ellie) and I were driving home at about 8:15. I noticed that
Venus has gotten very low. I told her I wanted to check out Venus in
my small refractor because it should have a nice phase.

She asked me if it would be standing up like the moon or on its side.
I explained that it could be either and could be different in the
scope than it really is in the sky.

She told me that she thought that it was like a bowl facing up. 

I took the scope out and sure enough, she was right. The true
orientation was easy to determine as Venus was just above the
neighbor's roof. 

With naked eye, while driving, through a fairly dirty windshield she
spotted Venus' phase and determined its orientation. 

To me, Venus is basically a star. But apparently her contact lenses
are very well corrected. Today was the first day with a new pair.

So can anyone else see the phase naked eye?

Guide tells me it is just under a minute of arc and is only 4.5%
illuminated.
 
Joe Larkin


        
                
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