Transit of Venus

Tomorrow is Venus' big day in front of the Sun

[On June 5, 2012, Venus will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, a rare astronomical phenomenon that will occur again in 105 years. This month, 13.7 Billion Years considers "Earth's twin," from the scientific study of the planet to its mythological underpinnings, with the series Second Rock from the Sun.]

For sky-watchers, the so-called "Transit of Venus" (June 5-6, 2012) is one of the 21st century's main events.

The exceedingly rare phenomenon—in which the planet Venus passes directly between the Sun and Earth and becoming visible against the solar disk—will not occur again until December 10, 2117.

The Exploratorium website will have a webcast of the Transit of Venus, featuring a telescope feed and audio commentary every 30 minutes, beginning June 5 at 22:00 UT.

NASA will be livestreaming the event from Mauna Kea, Hawaii.

ACTION ALERTS

• Find a Transit of Venus event near you (Night Sky Network)
• Visit the live webcast of the Transit of Venus (Exploratorium)
• Follow 13.7 Billion Years on Twitter

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image: Transit of Venus, June 8, 2004. (credit: Jan Herold, Wikimedia Commons)