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Venus To Transit the Sun In June, Not Again Until 2117

Posted by Soulskill on from the not-until-the-cubs-win-the-world-series dept.

revealingheart writes with this quote from ScienceDaily: "On 5 and 6 June this year, millions of people around the world will be able to see Venus pass across the face of the Sun in what will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It will take Venus about six hours to complete its transit, appearing as a small black dot on the Sun's surface, in an event that will not happen again until 2117. ...Transits of Venus occur only on the very rare occasions when Venus and Earth are in a line with the Sun. At other times Venus passes below or above the Sun because the two orbits are at a slight angle to each other. Transits occur in pairs separated by eight years, with the gap between pairs of transits alternating between 105.5 and 121.5 years — the last transit was in 2004." You can check this chart to see whether it'll be visible at your location, and when you should look. You'll need a safe way to watch unless you are Vulcan. And yes, there's even a phone app to help you out.

4 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. More than once by SmlFreshwaterBuffalo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...in what will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience

    Transits occur in pairs...the last transit was in 2004.

    So, what you're saying is it could be a twice-in-a-lifetime experience for some?

    1. Re:More than once by rrohbeck · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well it's 2012. Maybe the Mayans were about a half year off.

      --
      thegodmovie.com - watch it
    2. Re:More than once by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Let me make sure I've got this right. You spend time and money on observing Venus transit the sun and expected more than 'Just small circle passing by on sun's surface.' What exactly did you think was going to happen? Really I must know what you thought it was going to look like it.

  2. Probably THE best way to "watch"... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Sun Today - Atmospheric Imaging Assembly

    Most likely the best view: 4500k - Visible Light

    Images are updated every 30 minutes.