Teardrop effect of Venus in transit

Posted by rzaballa
on Friday, June 8, 2012

Venus in transit across the Sun, June 5, 2012 (enhanced contrast). The teardrop effect appears to be present on the upper left of Venus, though very slightly. This distorted shape would be due to refraction and scattering of light in the planet's atmosphere. This frame was taken 30 seconds after the previous two images sent. It was pointed out by another viewer that the previous images do not show the teardrop effect and upon closer examination, this is acknowledged. However in this image, the planet's disk is completely within the sun's limb and there is a very slight stretching of the disk that is not characteristic of a circular shape. This stretching can also be seen upon zooming in on that region of the image.

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