Transit of Venus Today

This afternoon you can witness an event that won't happen again for another 105 years: the Transit of Venus. Basically this is when the planet Venus passes in front of the sun. I got to see it in 2004, when it last happened (it generally happens in pairs, 8 years apart, and then not again for over a century). Quite frankly, seeing a little dot in front of the sun (with a special sun scope to protect the eyes) isn't that exciting. But seeing that little dot in a different place half an hour or an hour later makes you realize that there is something different going on.

One of the coolest things about the Transit of Venus is the history of it. This is only the eighth time it's happened since the telescope has been invented. Early astronomers were able to learn lots about the solar system during previous Transits of Venus.

In Snake Valley in 1882 observations were made from Ab Lehman's ranch by William Eimbeck and others who were assisting with the heliograph station up on Wheeler Peak, which was part of a survey to make an accurate map of the West along the 39th parallel.

Something else to think about during today's Transit of Venus is that a planet crossing in front of a star is how astronomers are finding planets out in the universe. The amount of light the sun emits is slightly reduced (very slightly), letting astronomers know that there is something else out there. In far off galaxies they don't know the characteristics of that planet, but that will come later, right?

To learn more about the sun, Venus, and much, much more, head to the Great Basin Visitor Center this afternoon. The telescopes will be out at 3 p.m. The transit takes seven hours, ending after dark here, so you have a little leeway in when you go see the Transit. But take the time to look (being sure not to look at the sun without proper protection). Unless you plan on being around in 2117, this may be your only chance to see this!