So what is this amazing event??
It is the Transit of Venus. A transit, in astronomy terms, is when one object passes in front of the face of another object. In this case, it is when the planet Venus passes between Earth and the Sun such that we see it move across the face of the Sun.
WARNING: DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN!!
THIS WILL DAMAGE YOUR EYES!!!!
Venus will appear as a tiny dot moving across the face of the Sun. This alignment where Earth, Venus and the Sun are along the same plane does not happen often, and usually occurs in pairs 8 years apart. So if you missed the June 8th, 2004 transit of Venus, this one of 2012 will be your last chance to try to catch it as the next time this happens is December 11, 2117.
For more information on safe viewing of this event and when to see it in your location see the website TransitOfVenus.org. Check to online see if your local observatory, planetarium or stargazing/astronomy clubs will be hosting an event during the transit. The closer you are to middle of the Pacific the better chance you will have of viewing of the full transit, which takes about six hours from start until finish. Otherwise you might just catch it either at sunrise or sunset. East Coast of the United States will see the transit as the sun is setting beginning around 6:04pm and until 8:30pm when the Sun has set.
The Maryland Science Center, located at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, will be hosting a viewing event from 6pm-8pm. There will be various ways available to safely view the transit as well as other fun hands-on activities. The activities will start before the transit begins, and will continue until the Sun and Venus go behind the buildings.
I know I will be there to see this rare event and I hope you will join me, Meet Me Outdoors.
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