Once in a lifetime Venus solar transit 8 June

[emad]

By Mark Prigg, Evening Standard Science Correspondent
11 May 2004

<snip>
On 8 June the planet Venus will cross the sun's path, creating a unique light show in the sky.

The spectacle, which millions of amateur astronomers are expected to watch, has been recorded only five times in human history.

The last full transit by Venus across the sun was in 1882 and it will not occur again until 2247.

This time, it will begin at about 6:19am when Venus will appear as a tiny speck at one side of the sun. The transit will last six hours.
<snip>
More:
http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/10681001?source=Evening%20Standard

[Nicholas_J]

1. Just got my solar filter

a few days ago.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. I'll have to wake up 6:30 in Brazil to catch only the very end...

...if any, since we're nearing the winter solstice here.

Ah well, there's always next time. :silly:

[pmbryant]

3. Twice in a lifetime, really

Next one is in 2012. But after that, you have to wait until 2117 and 2125.

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/article_1135_1.asp

Not sure why the article quoted above says it won't occur again until 2247. That's not right. (Perhaps they just mean visible from London?)

:shrug:

Peter

[TrogL]

4. Will the sun be visible in the Northern hemisphere?

I hate it when these things (like the last couple of comets) happen in the Southern hemisphere and I can't see them.