Astronomy Picture of the Day -- A Picturesque Venus Transit

NASA ^ | June 03, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: The rare transit of Venus across the face of the Sun in 2004 was one of the better-photographed events in sky history. Both scientific and artistic images flooded in from the areas that could see the transit: Europe and much of Asia, Africa, and North America. Scientifically, solar photographers confirmed that the black drop effect is really better related to the viewing clarity of the camera or telescope than the atmosphere of Venus. Artistically, images might be divided into several categories. One type captures the transit in front of a highly detailed Sun. Another category captures a double coincidence such as both Venus and an airplane simultaneously silhouetted, or Venus and the International Space Station in low Earth orbit. A third image type involves a fortuitous arrangement of interesting looking clouds, as shown by example in the above image taken from North Carolina, USA. Sky enthusiasts worldwide are abuzz about the coming transit of Venus on Tuesday. It is perhaps interesting to wonder whether any person will live to see -- and remember seeing -- both Tuesday's Venus transit and the next one in 2117.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit & Copyright: David Cortner]

[SunkenCiv]

Best of APOD: Gallery of previous Mercury and Venus Transit images

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[momtothree]

Beautiful, SunkenCiv!!

[SunkenCiv]

While straightening out keywords, I found out why this pic seemed familiar:

• Astronomy Picture of the Day -- A Picturesque Venus Transit

[cicero2k]

I’m going to be at Red Rocks park west of Las Vegas Wednesday with camera, tripod, welding glass and lots of ice water.

[JoeProBono]

[colinhester]

Just got the filter for my camera fitted tody. Here’s to clear skies.....

[dragnet2]

I am going to shoot the upcoming Venus transit, if things work out and I am able to make some needed changes in time. I’ll post a few if it happens, after processing.

Thanks for keeping the APoD alive.

[VanDeKoik]

It’s looking like rain where I live, but I still have all the equipment at the ready the moment any sun might break through.

[SunkenCiv]

I’m thinking about the mirror and duct tape method, reflecting the tiny bit of mirror onto a well-cleaned dry-erase white board. I’ll be at work at the time, so...

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks, my pleasure.

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[mombonn]

I do appreciate these threads!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[BwanaNdege]

"Explanation: On June 8, Venus was not the only celestial object to pass in front of the Sun. A few well-situated photographers caught the International Space Station also crossing the Sun simultaneously. Pictured above is a unique time-lapse image of the unprecedented double transit, a rare event that was visible for less than a second from a narrow band on Earth. The above image is a combination of 12 frames taken 0.033 seconds apart and each themselves lasting only 1/10,000 th of a second. The image was taken from the small village of Stupava in Slovakia. The next time Venus will appear to cross the Sun from Earth will be in 2012. "

[21twelve]

Looks like one of those flying triangle from the outer Nebulian that those reptile guys fly in. But sure - the space station.

(Cool photo!)

[21twelve]

Okay - a serious question after thinking about it a bit more. It would seem that the light from the sun would “blind” and obscure being able to see an item as small as the space station. Although I guess the same would be true for Venus. I’m guessing that the optics of the telescope are better/different than the human eye? And that it is more than just magnification (probably filters I guess?)

[dr_lew]

Sky enthusiasts worldwide are abuzz about the coming transit of Venus on Tuesday. It is perhaps interesting to wonder whether any person will live to see -- and remember seeing -- both Tuesday's Venus transit and the next one in 2117.

Hey, how about 2004 + 2012 ? I'm 1 for 1 so far. Well, I'm sure there will be millions in the club, whether it includes me or not.

[dr_lew]

“Eyepiece projection” produces a very nice image. This means putting a flat surface, such as white cardboard, in front of the eyepiece of a telescope ( or even one side of a binocular ) at a distance of a few feet, and adjusting the focus slightly from normal viewing.

I used this method with my Edmund Astroscan from the rooftop of my house in 2004. In addition to Venus, I was treated to the transit of a jetliner leaving nearby O’hare airport, which was rather more spectacular. The turbulence of the exhaust made a very impressive image.

It so happens that my tee time for my weekly golf league match coincides with the earliest onset of the event on Tuesday, but I plan to use a 7X35 binocular, discreetly deployed, to secure my status as a dual transit observer, weather allowing, which seems doubtful at this time. All I need is one clear patch, though, so here’s hoping.

[21twelve]

Thanks, I was wondering if that trick to view the solar eclipse was how to do it. It will be cloudy all day tomorrow here in Seattle, but for others, here is a website that has viewing times and some history of previous events:

http://www.transitofvenus.org/june2012/where-to-be