Transit of Venus Across the Sun

6/5/2012 (Updated 11:53:40 PM)

(Source: Kate Thornton)

On Tuesday, the Kopernik Observatory and Science Center (KOSC) was open for an unusual astronomical event called the Transit of Venus.  During that time, Venus traveled between Earth and the Sun, appearing as a distinct spot on the Sun. 

This will not happen again until 2117.

The transit began at 6:03pm and was visible until sunset, that is when the sun was out and not hiding behind clouds.

After a cloudy start, the sun did manage to break through the clouds and Venus was visible to viewers at KOSC for about 20 minutes.

However, looking directly at the Sun is dangerous, so the Transit was not to be viewed by the naked eye.

When the skies cleared, KOSC made it possible to safely watch the Transit through telescopes fitted with solar telescope which allowed many people to simultaneously see the Transit.

For more on the this story and to see images from the Transit, click "View Video"