2012 Venus Transit

On the 5th of June, 2012, Venus will transit (pass in front of) the sun as seen from over half the Earth. From the US East coast, the beginning of the transit will be visible and Venus will slowly move across the sun until the sun sets. Observers from the MIT (Cambridge, MA) area should be able to see the transit last for about two hours that Tuesday evening.

Weather

In case of unfavorable weather (clouds and/or rain), we will present the planned lectures, followed by live streaming of a transit feed from another location. If this happens, then all activities will be in 37-212.

Clear Dark Sky

Intellicast Hourly Cloud Cover

Wunderground Forecast (Cambridge)

MIT Campus Observing

The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, in coordination with MIT's George R. Wallace Astrophysical Observatory will be providing telescopes and other viewing facilities on Tuesday June 5th. Telescopes will be set up on the top of MIT's building 37, with appropriate filters to see the sun clearly without damaging the observers' eyes. Also, there will be lectures discussing the transit and its implications in the early evening before the transit begins.

Schedule

Lectures and Observing

Rm. 37-212
4:30 pm: Dr. Amanda Bosh, “History and geometry of transits”
5:00 pm: Prof. Sara Seager*, “Transits and exoplanet research”
5:30–8:30pm, roof of bldg. 37 (follow signs on 6th floor)

transit begins: 6:03:31 pm
sunset: 8:18 pm

Global Observability

Observing Safety

Looking directly at the photosphere of the Sun (the bright disk of the Sun itself), even for just a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye, because of the intense visible and invisible radiation that the photosphere emits. This damage can result in permanent impairment of vision, up to and including blindness. The retina has no sensitivity to pain, and the effects of retinal damage may not appear for hours, so there is no warning that injury is occurring. Viewing the Sun's disk through any kind of optical aid (binoculars, a telescope, or even an optical camera viewfinder) is extremely hazardous and can cause irreversible eye damage in a fraction of a second.

Only view the transit using approved for solar viewing filters, glasses, observing cards. Such viewing aids will be available at the building 37 event.