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Waning crescent Venus

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July 15, 2015

Here is another nice telescopic view of planet Venus, as seen on July 5, 2015 from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico by Efraín Morales of Sociedad de Astronomia del Caribe. (12 — Telescopic view of planet Venus (12″ S/C telescope), as seen on July 5 from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico by Efraín Morales of Sociedad de Astronomia del Caribe.

Our thanks to Efraín Morales of Sociedad de Astronomia del Caribe for providing this beautiful image of a crescent Venus, taken on July 5, 2015. Have you noticed that Venus has gotten lower in the western sky after sunset? It’s heading toward an inferior conjunction with the sun on August 15. At that time, Venus will sweep between the sun and Earth. Between now and then, those with telescopes will see that Venus is waning in phase. Its lighted half – or day side – is turning increasingly away from us. Even steadily held binocular might reveal that Venus is not perfect round.

Thanks also to Eddie Irizarry to sending this image!

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July 15, 2015

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.