Tuesday, June 5, 2012

TONIGHT 6-5-2012. Venus Transit: Properly prepare to view tonight, or wait until 2117

Venus Transit 2012: What You'll See This Week (Pictures)

Late this afternoon/evening, Tuesday, June 05, 2012, we will be able to see a cosmic spectacle known as a transit of Venus. The events are so rare that only six Venus transits have been observed since the invention of the telescope more than 400 years ago.  Transits happen when a planet crosses between Earth and the sun. Only Mercury and Venus, which are closer to the sun than Earth, can undergo this unusual alignment.

The last Venus transit was in 2004. After 2012, we won't see another transit of Venus until 2117.

Local Southern Cross Astronomical Society(SCAS) to have viewing sites set up:

SCAS Astros will have professional filtered equipment at two sites 6-8 p.m.: Western parking lot ZooMiami 12400 SW 152nd St., and on the roof of FIU garage, Southwest Eighth Street at 109th Avenue. Both locations are free to the public.

Never look directly at the sun or in unfiltered equipment. Retina burn may cause permanent blindness. Use No. 14 welders glass or solar glasses. Sunglasses are not safe. Info in Miami Herald article by Barb Yager, Southern Cross Astronomical Society, 305-661-1375, www.scas.org

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