Venus is getting large enough now to show it's phase without magnification, for those with excellent vision. To cut the glare, try using a fairly dark neutral-density ("moon") filter, or a pair of polarizing filters adjusted to block most of the transmitted light. A dark sunglass will work in a pinch. Another trick is to use a pinhole aperture. Punch a tiny hole in an index card and sight through the hole an inch from your eye. With my glasses on, I can just tell that the planet is apparently wider than it is tall as of this evening. It will get much larger in the next couple of weeks leading up to the transit, but don't wait too long or you'll be trying to detect the crescent in the morning instead of evening. Please post if you clearly discern the crescent without magnification, thanks! __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Domains Claim yours for only $14.70/year http://smallbusiness.promotions.yahoo.com/offer