1. Transit of Venus 5 June 2012

2. A Rare Event Transits of Venus were important events in the history of astronomy They occur in pairs 8 years apart, separated by about 120 years First observed in 1639 from England International collaboration to measure the distance to the Sun in 1761 & 1769. Method suggested by Halley. The last pair occurred in 1874 & 1882. Our lifetime: June 2004 & June 2012. None again until 2117 & 2125

4. Visibility from Earth

5. TRANSIT STARTS AT 6:03-6:21pm, continues until SUNSET AT 8:49pm (mid transit 9:29pm) Timing

6. Observing Safely Like any eclipse DO NOT look directly at the sun either by eye or with optics #14 Welding goggles or some approved astronomical setup operated by an experienced observer More information: TransitofVenus.org eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov Oneminuteastronomer.com