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Transit of Venus 5 June 2012. A Rare Event. Transits of Venus were important events in the history of astronomy They occur in pairs 8 years apart, separated by about 120 years
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A Rare Event • Transits of Venus were important events in the history of astronomy • They occur in pairs 8 years apart, separated by about 120 years • First observed in 1639 from England International collaboration to measure the distance to the Sun in 1761 & 1769 . Method suggested by Halley. • The last pair occurred in 1874 & 1882. Our lifetime: June 2004 & June 2012. None again until 2117 & 2125
Timing TRANSIT STARTS AT 6:03-6:21pm, continues until SUNSET AT 8:49pm (mid transit 9:29pm)
Observing Safely • Like any eclipse DO NOT look directly at the sun either by eye or with optics • #14 Welding goggles or some approved astronomical setup operated by an experienced observer More information: • TransitofVenus.org • eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov • Oneminuteastronomer.com