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Viewing
Venus: May 26, 2004 -- WHAT: Viewing of Venus passing in front of the Sun WHEN: June 8, 6-7:30 a.m. WHERE: The Park, on U.Va.’s North Grounds (Arlington Blvd, turn right on Massie Rd. to parking lot.) On the morning of June 8, the planet Venus will pass in front of the sun as seen from Earth. Such events, called transits, are rare. The last was in December of 1882. Historically, transits of Venus were used, with limited success, to determine the distance from the Earth to the sun. To celebrate the event, the University of Virginia Astronomy Department will host a viewing event at The Park on North Grounds near the School of Law (Arlington Blvd, turn right on Massie Rd. to parking lot) from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Eight to ten telescopes will be in place with safe solar viewing filters. Astronomers will be on hand to explain the event and answer questions. The transit will be in progress at sunrise at 5:51 a.m. and Venus will appear as a small black dot shadowed against the intensely bright surface of the sun. The planet will begin to pass from in front of the sun at 7:06 a.m. and will completely exit the sun by 7:26 a.m. Contacts: Edward Murphy, (434) 924-4890, or Richard Patterson, (434) 924-4914, |
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FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the Office
of University Relations at (434) 924-7116. Television reporters
should contact the TV News Office at (434) 924-7550. 2002
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Top News site edited by Dan
Heuchert (dnh6n@virginia.edu); maintained by
Karen Asher
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