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Century's chance to see Venus transit Sun
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-08 07:28
Europe, Africa and the Middle East are the best vantage points to see the
first transit of Venus across the sun in more than a century on Tuesday,
scientists said.
Mostly clear skies are forecast in many parts of the three regions, but
people were urged to be careful if they watch the rare event when it begins at
1:19 a.m. EDT because it could cause blindness. Views will be restricted from
Asia and the Americas.
By eye, Venus will
be seen as a small black dot crossing over the bottom of the sun. The
planet will finish its journey around sunrise for central and eastern
North America. [NASA] | Unlike a solar eclipse by the moon that is over in two or three minutes,
Venus's transit -- which last occurred in 1882 -- will go on for six hours.
The planet will appear as an intense black dot on the solar disc.
Most of the sun will be visible as Venus crosses to the right from the bottom
left side of the solar disc. Venus will be 26.7 million miles from earth.
"Venus will be about 1/30 the size of the diameter of the sun, but it will be
much darker and more intense than sunspots," said Dr Robert Walsh, of the
University of Central Lancashire's Center for Astrophysics in northern England.
Scientists recommend some form of indirect projection as the safest way to
observe the phenomenon.
"Never ever look directly at the sun with the naked eye or any sort of
optical equipment -- telescope, binoculars or even digital camera," said Walsh.
"Even if you glance at the sun for a short period of time you can damage your
eye and lose some of your sight," he said.
Internet sites will be covering the transit and observatories around the
world have organized viewings.
"Mainly Western Europe could see some high cloud that might prevent people
from seeing it," said a spokesman for Britain's Meteorological Office. "The rest
of Europe shouldn't be too bad. It should be fine."
German astronomer Johannes Kepler first predicted a transit of Venus in 1627
but he died before he could witness one. English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks
first observed it in 1639.
The transit occurs four times in every 243 years. There are two December
transits, eight years apart, and then 121.5 years later there are two June
transits, also eight years apart. After another 105.5 years the cycle begins
again.
The next transit will occur in 2012 when it will be visible from parts of
Asia and the Pacific but not Europe.
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