| Description: Along with Mercury and the Moon (and to some extent Mars), Venus is one of the few objects in the solar system to visibly exhibit phases as it travels around the Sun. This image shows Venus in a waxing gibbous phase. Very little detail can be seen on the surface due to the heavy obscuring clouds.
Image information: 0.12s B band image taken with approximately 7/8 of the mirror covered due to bright twilight. Phase: 0.839, diameter: 12.5". Image taken: 17:47 03/03/07 and shown at 200%. |
| Description: Shown much nearer half-phase, this colour image of Venus shows its impenetarable cloud layers. Surface maps of Venus have been produced using radar.
Image information: 0.12s B/V/R-band image taken through cloud, enlarged by 400%. Phase: 0.611, diameter: 18.8". Image taken: 21:50 UT 17/05/07. |
| Description: At just over half-phase, Venus looks a lot bigger here!
Image information: 10 x 0.12s B-band images taken with approx. 1/8 of the mirror. Phase: 0.521, diameter: 22.4". Image taken: 20:55 UT 04/06/07. |