Once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon
A rare celestial phenomenon known as a transit, when the planet Venus will pass in front of the sun, will occur in the morning on June 8. The public relations official of the Astronomical Society, Sunny Grech, said a similar transit was visible from...
A rare celestial phenomenon known as a transit, when the planet Venus will pass in front of the sun, will occur in the morning on June 8.
The public relations official of the Astronomical Society, Sunny Grech, said a similar transit was visible from Europe 122 years ago, on December 6, 1882.
Mr Grech said this celestial phenomenon had made it possible for 19th century scientists to calculate the distance between the earth and the sun, a measurement that was utilised to calculate the size of the solar system and which eventually led to an apprehension of the extent of the universe.
A European network co-ordinated by the European Southern Observatory, under the auspices of the European Commission's European Science and Technology Week, is trying to make the public aware of the rarity and uniqueness of the event. As a once-in-a lifetime experience, it is seen as bringing society and science closer to each other.
On June 8, a number of leading observatories and astronomical associations around Europe will organise public observations and make collective observations of the transit. The Astronomical Society of Malta was selected as the National Node for Malta and will be organising an Astronomy Week, starting on Thursday and culminating on June 8.
The society also hopes to broadcast a streaming video of the transit on the internet.
On the day, the public is invited to join members of the society to observe the event from the Saluting Battery at the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Telescopes equipped with proper filters will be set up for safe viewing of the sun.
Venus' first appearance at the sun's edge is estimated at 7.07.20 and it will take up to 13 minutes and 24 seconds to reach the other limb. The planet will appear as a dark spot on the sun's disc with a diameter 1/32 that of the sun.
Great care must be taken when viewing the sun as permanent eye damage can otherwise be caused. The safest method to view the transit is to use a projected image of the sun from a small telescope or binoculars on a flat surface behind the eyepiece.
Special glasses to observe the transit can also be acquired from the society by sending an e-mail to info@maltastro.org or calling on 7961 7858. Welders' filters grade 14 or higher can also be used to observe the event.
During the Astronomy Week public lectures leading to the transit and evening observing sessions will be organised:
¤ June 3 - Public lecture on Venus transit, observation and astronomical significance at the German Maltese Circle, Valletta, at 6.30 p.m.
¤ June 4 - Observing session at Bay Street terrace from 8 p.m., the planet Jupiter and possibly the small comet Neat can be observed.
¤ June 5 - Observing session at Ta' Fra Ben, Qawra, starting from 8 p.m.
¤ June 6 - Observing session at Dingli near Maddalena chapel, starting from 8 p.m.
¤ June 7 - Public lecture on the transit of Venus and what one expects to observe, at Bay Street's Artisan Centre at 6 p.m.
¤ June 8 - Venus transit: a public observation from 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta.
¤ June 9 - Public lecture on Maltese Sundials - A Forgotten Heritage at Heritage Malta premises, Merchants Street, Valletta, at 6 p.m.
More information can be obtained from the Astronomical Society website.
www.maltastro.org