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Author
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Topic: Viewing the 2014 transit of Venus (June 8)
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Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 06-06-2004 04:57 PM
   
Early this Tuesday morning, weather permitting, most of the eastern U.S. will be able to see the transit of Venus across the lower part of the Sun already in progress.
Those in Europe and Africa, I believe, will be able to witness the entire event.Of course, you should never look at the Sun directly. My question is: What are the safest and best ways to view the transit, especially if using binoculars? |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-06-2004 05:16 PM
The short answer is — don't use binoculars unless you want to blind yourself!My advice would be to contact your local astronomy group / planetarium / science center / telescope store and see if they are hosting an event. That way, you will be able to look through equipment owned and supervised by capable professionals. Attempts by people to look at the sun using their own methods (e.g. binoculars and smoked glass) have resulted in permanent eye damage, even blindness, in many cases. Please be careful! |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 06-06-2004 06:53 PM
Let me say that you should NEVER look at the Sun without the proper filters, especially through any type of magnification such as binoculars or telescopes. My question may have been a bit vague, so let me clarify.If I were to view the Sun through binoculars or a telescope, exactly what would be needed to protect the eyes? I live where there are no planetariums or astronomy clubs to rely upon, as I'm sure is the case with most members. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-06-2004 07:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Joyner:
If I were to view the Sun through binoculars or a telescope, exactly what would be needed to protect the eyes?
A special solar filter especially designed for the telescope or binocs that you are using, meticulously looked after and regularly checked to ensure it has no dangerous scratches. quote:
I live where there are no planetariums or astronomy clubs to rely upon, as I'm sure is the case with most members.
Sorry to hear that is the case with you - but I doubt it is the case for most members. Most US towns, small or large, have a local astronomy club. In fact, you often find more out in the remote areas as the skies are darker. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-06-2004 07:15 PM
Observations with a small astronomical telescope by projection (courtesy NASA): This simple method is strongly recommended, because several people can observe simultaneously around the instrument without any danger.It consists of using the eyepiece of the refractor as a projection lens (see picture). In order to form a solar image on a white screen, the eyepiece is moved slightly outwards so that it will work exactly like a magnifying lens. The beam can be reflected downwards with a flat mirror or a prism to make viewing easier. Be careful of the light beam (do not put your eyes into the beam!). |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-07-2004 03:30 PM
The 'projection' technique is certainly the safest way and you can draw on the paper the planet as the shadow moves over it...Another "safe" way is to check the event online. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 06-07-2004 08:01 PM
A welder friend of mine has a # 14 filtered shield, he said not to use the 7 to look at it, If I must... I must. |
Davide
Member Posts: 56
From: Venezia, Italy
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 06-08-2004 05:29 AM
I've just seen the transit of Venus, simply protecting the naked eyes with a #14 filter.
Venus is well visible even with no magnification. No needs of binocular, projection method or other things.Fascinating phenomena. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-08-2004 10:45 AM
Weather was wonderful in Belgium from 07:19 AM to 01:33 PM... perfect observations (and projections) were possible! |
Dan Lorraine
Member Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-08-2004 11:35 AM
Pictures taken this morning. The second one clearly shows "black drop effect". 
Photos were taken from the island of Jamestown, RI. A Celestron 4" F/8 refractor with an Orion solar filter and a 24mm Televue Panoptic eyepiece were used to obtain the images. |
Davide
Member Posts: 56
From: Venezia, Italy
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 06-08-2004 01:40 PM
Very nice shots, Dan! Well exposed, is very well visible the fall of bright at the Sun border. Thanks for sharing. |
icarkie
Member Posts: 618
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 06-08-2004 01:58 PM
My day off fell right for the viewing of the transit of Venus.Our local astronomy group set up there gear outside the local library this morning,I got there about 9ish with the wife and youngest and I was VERY impressed in what I saw. I second what Davide said, a fascinating phenomena. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-08-2004 02:10 PM
Great to hear you all had fun seeing it! We are showing the webcast results right now on our IMAX dome, lots of media down here.I'm a little concerned with some of the statements made in this thread about projection being "the safest way" to observe, and "strongly recommended." It is certainly safer than some methods... but numbers of people have been blinded in a lapse of concentration (trying to line the telescope / binocs up with the sun without looking through is hard, they accidentally get in the path of the light beam, they are young kids and get it wrong). For that reason, I didn't recommend doing it alone, and suggested observing with the professionals. Glad some of you were able to do that. Glad also that those of you who did use the projection method did so carefully and safely. |
paul prendergast
Member Posts: 429
From: crawley west sussex UK
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 06-08-2004 02:24 PM
Have just seen it in the UK, a once in a lifetime thrill. It has generated a lot of interest in the stars. Great shots of the Sun on the site. |
Davide
Member Posts: 56
From: Venezia, Italy
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 06-08-2004 03:01 PM
I don't know how correct is the information outside Italy; here in Italy all the newspapers and the news on TV said that the next Venus transit will be in 122 years in the future. But it is not so. The next time will be in 2012! (not visible in Europe) After that we have to wait 122 years, until 2134 (also not visible in Europe, but is not so important...)Correct me if I'm wrong. |
Dan Lorraine
Member Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-08-2004 03:09 PM
You are correct. The cycle runs 122 years, then 8 years, back to 122 years. Over time these cycles could change slightly. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-08-2004 04:44 PM
Belgian TV news said that the 2012 would be partially visible in Western Europe ... |
Carrie
Member Posts: 225
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 06-08-2004 08:30 PM
I observed here in Syracuse using eclipse glasses, and found it tough to see the black dot of Venus (but my eyesight is bad, so take that into account)! I would think I was seeing it, then it would sort of disappear, but it looked like it left the edge of the Sun in the three o'clock position. I'll have to try to get access to a telescope for the next one. At least it didn't rain... I would have always wondered what I had missed!A note on the eclipse glasses - if you're ever looking to buy some, or 3-D glasses, I recommend Rainbow Symphony, where I got mine. I got them in just a few days using Priority Mail. |
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