Venus on 1961 June 25 at 04:30 EDT (08:30 UT) as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 165x-300x. Seeing 4/10. Transparency 5/5. Planet presented a remarkable view. All detail quite conspicuous both with and without blue filter, resulting in fairly accurate plotting of features. Phase appeared just at or just shy of dichotomy.
Venus on 1961 June 11 at 05:15-05:25 local time (09:15-09:25 UT) as sketched by G. Wedge. 6" refractor at 220x. Seeing 4/10. Transparency 4/5. Ashen light noted at beginning of observation.
Venus on 1961 June 3 at 13:50-13:55 local time (17:55 UT) as sketched by G. Gaherty. 6" refractor at 150x. Seeing 1-2/10. Transparency 4-5/5. Phase estimated as about 42%. Seeing too poor to permit intensity estimates.
Venus on 1961 May 14 at 14:05-14:15 local time (18:05-18:15 UT) as sketched by G. Wedge. 6" refractor at 150x. Seeing 2-1/10. Transparency 1/5. Two notches near northern cusp very indefinite, other markings except dusky mark just south of centre very indefinite. Intensity estimated from drawing and from memory.
Venus on 1961 May 11 at 11:15-11:25 local time (15:20 UT) as sketched by Geoffrey Gaherty, Jr. 8" reflector at 180x. Seeing 1-2. Transparency 4. Daylight observation. Ashen light suspected. Terminator looks reddish brown, rest of planet white.
