1. EUROPEAN EDUCATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL PROGRAMME “VENUS TRANSIT 2004” Borislav Petrov, amateur astronomer, Varna Veselka Radeva Astronomical Observatory,Varna Ioanna Kokotanekova Astronomical observatory, Dimitrovgrad Mitko Kokotanekov Astronomical observatory, Haskovo BULGARIA

2. Directions of the project Project Venus transit 2004 in Bulgaria will be realized in 3 directions: for teachers and students, for amateur astronomers, and for citizens.

3. The fist project is “The dance of Venus”. The project will activate the work in the schools during a month – from May 10th to June 10 th. The young students from different schools from Varna, Bulgaria observe Mercury transit.

4. The second project is “Catch the Planet Venus” The project is for the amateur astronomers for the Astronomical clubs, for the students who are taught in the Public Astronomical Observatories and the amateur astronomers from all over the country. Astronomical club “Helios“ Astronomical observatory, Dimitrovgrad Observation of Mercury transit 05.06.2003

5. The registered for participation amateur astronomers will receive Methods for visual, photographic and video observations, they will time the moments of contacts and make photographic and video observations. Astronomical club “Helios“ Astronomical observatory,Dimitrovgrad

6. The third project is: “Public observations” For the citizens who will observe the Sun and Venus during the Venus Transit, popular talks about the Sun, Venus, etc. will be given. Astronomical club “Canopus” from Observatory in Varna observe with many people particular Solar eclipse, 31.05.2003, Bulgaria

7. Contests Project Venus transit 2004 in Bulgaria announces contests for the best photographs of Venus Transit for students and amateur astronomers. The best photographs will be presented on a special astronomical exhibition in the Art gallery in Varna. Mercury Transit from Domitrovgrad

8. Suggestions about methods for observations of Venus Transit, June, 08 2004. VISUAL PHOTOGRAPHIC VIDEO CCD

9. Methods for visual observations Projection of the image on a screen. Observation through a telescope with solar filter. Astronomical observatory and planetarium, Varna, Bulgaria

10. PROJECTION WITH THE BINOKULARS

11. PROJECTION WITH A TELESCOPE

12. PROJECTION WITH A TELESCOPE IN A BOX FROM A MONITOR Mercury transit, 2003

13. What are they looking for You can photograph calmly, the Sun won’t run away

14. Bulgarian version of the Solar gun made from a plastic flowerpot

15. For more information: vt2004bg@yahoo.com

16. Tasks during the visual & the photographic observations Registration of the contacts Sketching and taking pictures of the Sun and the movement of Venus Visual and photographic observations of the “black drop” effect Visual and photographic observations of Venus’ atmosphere Visual and photographic observations of unusual phenomena Visual and photographic observations of Venus near solar spots Visual and photographic observations of Venus outside the solar disk

17. Observations with a web camera A telescope system Newton 200/1000

18. Observations with a Digital camera

19. The active Sun – October 2003 Ilyan Darganov Nikon Coolpix 995

20. Venus' Crescent Ilyan Darganov and Borislav Petrov Nikon Coolpix 995 April 29, 2004, Varna

21. VT-2004 Photo of the Day April 19, 2004 Ilyan Darganov and Borislav Petrov Nikon Coolpix 995 March 26, 2004 Varna, Bulgaria

22. The web-page for the programme has been created.

23. Clear skies and good luck! http://www.geocities.com/vt2004bg