NavList:

I just went out this morning and found Venus... using the tree branch or other stationary object to keep you oriented is really helpful.  At sea there are no such aids, but you can preset your sextant for the altitude for the time of observation, and find it that way.  Once, back in the day, in the Indian Ocean on our way to Perth I managed a three way fix using the sun, moon, and Venus.  It was in the tropics.  I could take my time.  Here on land?  Not if it's blustry and below freezing!  I may try a sun/Venus fix tomorrow, weather permitting.  

So, is Venus now at or near it's greatest elongation as a morining star?  As it is zipping around the sun faster than we are it seems as if we should see Venus rounding the corner and descending into and behind the rising sun... only to emerge weeks later as a new evening star.  Is this correct?  Will it be approximately 26 months before the current situation is repeated?   

Jim Rives