The Venus Files: History Repeats on June 8

The Venus Files: History Repeats on June 8

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/venus_transit_history_040528.html

"Venus will pass in front of the Sun on June 8, and skywatchers in many locations around the world will have their first chance in nearly 122 years to see the planet as a black dot against the solar surface. The event is among the rarest of predictable viewing phenomena.

Venus transits recur like clockwork, though in an odd pattern.

Pairs of these events occurring eight years apart, either in June or December. A pair of December transits will follow a June pair after 105½ years. A June pair will come 121½ years after a December pair.

As seen from Earth, only transits of Mercury and Venus are possible. Both hold an interesting place in astronomical history. The main reason is the slightly different times that the events occur as seen from different locations on the surface of the Earth. The diameter of our planet is appreciable when compared to the distance to Mercury and Venus, allowing astronomers to triangulate on the planets from various points on Earth when they are seen against a bright background as the surface of the Sun."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is time to mark your calendars for this will provide a grand opportunity to forget the drivel we put up with daily- and be amazed once more.

If you are a photography buff as well, and enjoy taking photographs of the night sky, then visit Richard Shell’s site for some tools you may need.