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Stargazing: Transit of Venus
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Tomorrow evening, the orbit of Venus will take it directly between the Earth and sun. Venus will appear as a tiny black dot as it slowly moves from left to right across the sun's northern disk. Eye safety should be a priority when observing a transit. Never look directly at the sun with your unprotected eyes!
Venus will make first contact with the northern edge of the sun at 6:04 p.m. Second contact will occur when Venus' black dot is completely on the sun at 6:21 p.m. The event will end for us before the midpoint of the transit when the sun sets at 8:47 p.m.
The transit is best viewed directly when magnified through a telescope with a solar filter. But beware: Sunlight focused through a telescope can blind you instantly if a filter isn't used. You can also use some type of projection technique or No. 14 welder's glass to safely view the transit.
The Buhl Observatory at Carnegie Science Center will be open during the transit.
First Published June 4, 2012 12:00 am
