A once in a lifetime viewing, this happens once every 130 years so I am blessed again with being in the right place at the right time, this is my account of what I saw as it happened…
15:17 Finally got things set up, Four pairs of Sunny’s and my big heavy duty camera set (Canon EOS-630 with 2x extender and 500mm lens) saw Venus start the transition at the top right hand corner of the sun. Very excited, called sister to tell somebody, pity she was working but was excited too, she had to go as she was on the Bus line duty, Schools are no fun.
15:25 Venus is fully in the suns path now, compared to the sun (which looks about 10mm wide in my equipment) Venus is a nice black dot about one-tenth the size.
15:30 Venus is progressing slowly across the top part of the sun, at the rate of crossing the sun will be down before it has had a chance to fully cross, will check again in 10 Min time.
15:40 Venus is about two point off the Sun’s north Pole, will have to move the equipment if I’m to observe any further as the next door neighbours roof is starting to get in the way!
15:50 Venus is now about one point off the pole still on the eastern side slow transition, not at all what I expected. Moved the equipment one meter north and re-aligned
16:00 Cloudbank low on the horizon has obscured the rest of the viewing estimated not much longer before landscape obscured view anyway. Was excited to see our nearest celestial body in full view, moving on to other heavenly bodies now.
By: Ren Frew - 10th June 2004 at 18:59
Not in the UK it won’t.
By: RIPConcorde - 10th June 2004 at 17:23
Don’t worry if you missed it, it’ll happen again in another 8 years time and 7 or so years after that apparently.
By: Ja Worsley - 10th June 2004 at 17:09
Hmm interesting mate, well down here Venus was at the top of the sun transiting from East to west (right to left).
By: Flood - 9th June 2004 at 12:37
Is it inverted?
Or is it that old chestnut – Australia is actually on the opposite side of the world and therefore is inverted to my picture?
It is the correct way up as far as the direct view I had through binoculars is concerned…;) (With Mylar or whatever the newest thing to stick over the lens is)
Flood.™
By: Ja Worsley - 9th June 2004 at 04:26
Flood: That view is inverted mate 😉 I wasn’t thinking straight I should have taken some as well 🙁 Oh well next time I will 😉
Steve: I’m in the gong mate where are you?
By: Flood - 8th June 2004 at 16:41
Took this at lunchtime today, on my 17-35mm lens;)…
According to the guy who was in charge the next time it happens it will be a nice dark December morning with a good chance of rain – I congratulated him on being able to forcast the weather so accurately!
Flood.™
By: Nermal - 8th June 2004 at 15:39
“There’s a little black spot on the sun today… it’s the same old thing as yesterday”
Name that tune ?
King of Pain or something – by The Police – Nermal
By: steve rowell - 8th June 2004 at 10:54
What part of Oz are you from Ja Worsley?????
By: Ren Frew - 8th June 2004 at 10:11
Seen it too. A black dot on the sun.
“There’s a little black spot on the sun today… it’s the same old thing as yesterday”
Name that tune ?
By: seahawk - 8th June 2004 at 09:45
Seen it too. A black dot on the sun.
By: Ren Frew - 8th June 2004 at 09:13
Ja I think you should learn to count mate. The last time it happened was 1802 which by my maths is 204 years
By my maths that’s 202 years ago. 🙂
The transits actually occur approximately four times in a 243 year period, the last one occuring in 1882 and the next two expected in 2012 and 2117. So the last one was actually 122 years ago.
By: mike currill - 8th June 2004 at 08:59
Ja I think you should learn to count mate. The last time it happened was 1802 which by my maths is 204 years
By: Ren Frew - 8th June 2004 at 08:08
Does she look like a Venus ? 🙂
No he’s a big hairy a*sed painter/decorator. 😮
By: Hand87_5 - 8th June 2004 at 08:06
Typical Glasgow weather I’m afraid, I’m happy to report however, that I can observe the transit van of Vinnie from my window. 😮
Does she look like a Venus ? 🙂
By: Ren Frew - 8th June 2004 at 07:56
Typical Glasgow weather I’m afraid, I’m happy to report however, that I can observe the transit van of Vinnie from my window. 😮
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June 8, 2004 at 7:32 am