NavList:

David C, you wrote:
"Can anyone at 41°S see venus? I would like to know if it is possible (i.e. it is my problem) or if it is not possible."

Believe me, I was thinking of you specifically when I mentioned that observers further south would have a better view. Consider this: if I can see Venus near the meridian at 41°N, then for you at 41°S it will be much easier. The current Declination of Venus is about 21°S so for me the meridian altitude is about 49° - 21° or approximately 28° above the horizon. For you, flip that sign: the meridian altitude is 49° + 21° or approximately 70° above the horizon. In fact, for you, the meridian may turn out to be slightly inconvenient because Venus will be uncomfortably high. For most people, 70° feels like straight up and is "neck-breaking"! Nonetheless the meridian is easier since it's typically easier to find buildings or other features aligned exactly North-South. Check Google Maps (or similar) "satellite" view. Unless you rotate the view manually, the natural alignment is N-S, so all you have to do is look for alignments that are vertical on-screen. 

Find yourself a building with a North-South wall. Be sure your binoculars are properly focused at infinity before you start --look at a tree or building at least a quarter of a mile away to focus. Just before the predicted time of Venus meridian transit, stand near that wall with the Sun hidden by the building. Point your binoculars as close to the zenith as possible. Scan down slowly from there parallel to the wall. You will see it! It usually takes me a couple of trials. Be patient and re-scan if you need to. :)

I should warn you that the Sun is closing on Venus rapidly. You only have a few days left to catch it on this side of the Sun. Of course there's always next month if you miss it this time. This is a deep south Venus opposition so southern hemisphere locations are significantly favored both before and after conjunction with the Sun.

Frank Reed