msholden
Junior Member
June 5th will be a rare astronomical event. The planet Venus will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun. It last happened in 2004 and it won't happen again until 2117.
If you're in the USA, you'll be able to observe it in the late afternoon. On the east coast it'll still be happening at Sunset. People on the west coast will get a better view.
DO NOT look at the Sun without equipment designed for solar observing.
Here's a photo I took of the one in 2004.
http://www.holden-insurance.com/VenusT0513esWork.jpg
Many astronomical societies will be having public observing events, and their telescopes will be set up with safe solar filters. Here's a link to a web page where you can find your local astronomy club:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations
If you're thinking of buying a telescope, please don't until after you've spent at least an hour discussing it with at least one experienced person from an astronomical society. Good scopes come in all price ranges. So do frustrating toys.
If you're in the USA, you'll be able to observe it in the late afternoon. On the east coast it'll still be happening at Sunset. People on the west coast will get a better view.
DO NOT look at the Sun without equipment designed for solar observing.
Here's a photo I took of the one in 2004.
http://www.holden-insurance.com/VenusT0513esWork.jpg
Many astronomical societies will be having public observing events, and their telescopes will be set up with safe solar filters. Here's a link to a web page where you can find your local astronomy club:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations
If you're thinking of buying a telescope, please don't until after you've spent at least an hour discussing it with at least one experienced person from an astronomical society. Good scopes come in all price ranges. So do frustrating toys.
