CfA/Harvard-Smithsonian Observatory: Venus Transit

*****Latest Update (June 4, 2012) from David Aguilar at the Center for Astrophysics (CfA):

None of us needs to be a TV weather personality to know which way the weather is going tomorrow for the transit of Venus. I believe the word is "South".

In lieu of being able to view this event through solar telescopes up on the roof here at 60 Garden Street, we will open up Phillips Auditorium between 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm to watch a live web cast from Mauna Kea (where the sun is shining).

Please join us here or if you would like to experience the transit from home, the following web sites will offer continuous views of the event.

NASA: http://venustransit.nasa.gov/webcasts/nasaedge/

Exploratorium: http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/

National Solar Observatory: http://venustransit.nso.edu/live.html

Mt. Lemmon: http://skycenter.arizona.edu/annoucement/live

Astronomers Without Borders: http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/projects/transit-of-venus/live-webcast/html

SLOOH: http://events.slooh.com/

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RSVPs open a week before
In 2004 we were treated to a sunrise view of Venus crossing the disk of the sun. On June 5th, we will enjoy a sunset Venus transit. If you miss this one, you won't get another chance to see it until 2117 - and that's a very long time to wait. The Center for Astrophysics will hold a special rooftop viewing of the Venus transit beginning at 6:00 pm. No reservations are required. The transit will be visible from 6:03 until the sun sets at 8:19. CfA parking lots will open to the public at 5:00. Parking is available at 60 Garden Street, 160 Concord Avenue, and the lot on Bond Street between Garden Street and Concord Avenue. If weather is inclement, we will still show the transit via webcast in Phillips Auditorium.

*****Update from the CfA on Friday, June 1, 2012:

If the skies are clear enough, the Center for Astrophysics will hold a special rooftop viewing of the Venus transit beginning at 6:00 pm. The transit will be visible from 6:03 until the sun sets at 8:19. In case of inclement weather, we will still show the transit via webcast in Phillips Auditorium and the A-101 classroom (overflow room).

If rooftop viewing takes place, we plan to take attendees up to the roof and down again in groups. This will prevent overcrowding and give as many people as possible the chance to see the transit live.

Attendees don't need to bring anything. We will offer filtered telescopes, solar projection, and a limited number of eclipse viewer glasses.*****