On Tuesday June 5, 2012, Venus will transit the sun for the last time this century. The next Venus transit will occur on December 10, 2117, more than 100 years from now. Although Venus transits have occurred for millennia, they have only been observed six times before in recorded history.
Never look directly at the sun. However, the transit can be observed with properly approved eye protection (e.g., mylar glasses), or by using a projected image of the sun (see photo).
Image of the sun projected through a pair of binoculars. It is safe to look at the image on the white card.
However, this method requires adult supervision – NEVER look through the binoculars at the sun.
For more information, please visit the “Explore” section of this website and scroll down to “Venus Transit Resources.”
Simulation, courtesy of Starry Night Pro software.
ADDENDUM (From RASC): The PowerPoint Presentation shared by Ron Macnaughton is excellent!
Transit of Venus
by Ron Macnaughton, Chair, Education Committee
A PowerPoint talk on the transit of Venus is posted here. If any Centre wishes to show this half-hour presentation feel free. It talks about:
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Nice site.
We are enjoying the transit of Venus with our Orion scope near Gaylord Minnesota.
Thanks! Can you tell us what you saw? Were there kids in Sibley who found the transit exciting? Where did you watch it? Some of us went to the event organized at Varsity Stadium organized by the Dunlap Institute. Here is the web space for that event: http://universe.utoronto.ca/special/transit2012 Does your club have a site to share?