Book Review: Mystery of the Ashen Light of Venus: Investigating a 400-Year-Old Phenomenon

Mystery of the Ashen Light of Venus: Investigating a 400-Year-Old Phenomenon, by John C. Barentine, Springer International Publishing, 2021, ISBN 978-3-030-72714-7, Softcover, $29.99 US

Reviewed by Francine Jackson

Several months ago, I was asked to write several paragraphs on the Ashen Light. I really wish I had had this book then.

What exactly is the Ashen Light? This is light coming from the planet Venus that has been observed for hundreds of years by both professional astronomers and seasoned amateurs. But, not by every observer. And, not all at the same time or phase in Venus’s orbit. Also, it doesn’t seem to always have the same physical appearance. Finally, it has never been photographed. What is happening?

The author takes great pains to prove to the reader that this phenomenon does seem real. He quotes researchers who have spent years attempting to not only observe, but understand what potentially could be happening at Venus. Too many observers have acknowledged its presence through the centuries to dismiss the unique lighting that they have actually seen and documented. And, many have tried to explain this Ashen Light, either by exact scientific explanations and testing - such as by means of the planet’s interactions with such as coronal mass ejections – or admittedly off the wall – bonfires on the surface to acknowledge new leaders. But, although there have been many confirmations of the Ashen Light, there hasn’t been any true agreement as to its physical appearance.

In an attempt to understand the complexity of the sightings, the author went so far as to contact an expert in vision science, who, as an example, could perceive the possibility of the observer’s brain “filling in” information where it might not really exist, such as the “duck-rabbit” scenario.

In retrospect, the author could have had the reader wonder whether the Ashen Light is simply a play on the observer’s senses, such as the Martian canals or the inner planet Vulcan. But, he didn’t, although, is there a possibility the Ashen Light could be just as “real” as those? Or, is it a true, but elusive, phenomenon? Keep an open mind when you read this book, and, if you are a Venus observer, come to your own conclusion.

You may be surprised.