Venus on 1961 January 16 at 15:30-16:10 local time (20:30-21:10 UT) as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 300x-375x. Seeing 2-5. Transparency 4. During best moments considerable definite detail seen, especially with filter.
Venus on 1961 January 16/17 at 16:40 +11m EST (21:40 UT) as sketched by Jim Low. 4" reflector at 167x. Seeing 4. Transparency 4. Phase only a little over half full.
Venus on 1961 January 14/15 at 16:30-17:00 local time (21:30-22:00) as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 300x. Seeing 3-5. Transparency 4. Most definite view of outline of markings so far experienced, especially with violet filter, blue + green. Parallel band-like markings were very definite. Contrast exaggerated in both drawings.
Venus on 1961 January 14/15 at 15:07 +17m EST (20:07 UT) as sketched by Jim Low. 4" reflector at 167x. Seeing 5. Transparency 4+. This is a daylight observation, Venus being visible with the naked eye. Although seeing was good, the markings on Venus were difficult, and there was very little contrast.
Venus on 1961 January 14 at 14:25-14:35 local time (19:25-19:35 UT) as sketched by G. Wedge. 6" refractor at 150x. Seeing 4-3. Transparency 4. Daylight observation.
Venus on 1961 January 12/13 at 16:30-16:50 local time (21:30-21:50 UT) as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 165x-300x. Seeing 3-5. Transparency 3-4. Almost nothing seen without filter, only fairly definite area 8.5. Glare of planet seems to blot out detail which becomes visible only with filters. Terminator not quite central.
Venus on 1961 January 11/12 at 16:10-16:40 local time (21:10-21:40 UT) as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 165x. Seeing 4-5. Transparency 0-3. Intermittent clouds, haze + wind hampered observation. Markings fairly definite but outline very indefinite. Not much difference caused by filter except for increase in contrast.
Venus on 1961 January 9/10 at 16:25-16:45 local time (21:25-21:45 UT) as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 165x. Seeing 0-3. Transparency 5. Disk of planet unusually bright with only slightly less intense area marked 9.5, otherwise featureless without filter.
Venus on 1961 January 5/6 at 16:55-17:05 local time (22:00 UT) as sketched by Geoffrey Gaherty, Jr. 8" Cave reflector at 180x. Seeing 3. Transparency 2-1. Transparency deteriorated at end of drawing making intensity estimates impossible.
Venus on 1961 January 3/4 at 16:30-17:05 local time (21:30-22:05 UT) as sketched by K.R. Brasch. 8" reflector at 165x-300x. Seeing 4-6. Transparency 3. Dusky shadings extremely indefinite + washed out; only definite area was white patch in SW, brightest area on disk 9.5. Despite good seeings + filter, markings were more to difficult to see than on other occasions.