[BAA-ebulletin 00668] This June's Transit Of Venus

[Rick]

[BAA-ebulletin 00668]  This June's Transit Of Venus
(c) 2012 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/

Even though the transit of Venus on June 5/6 is best seen from the middle of the Pacific Ocean those of us in the British Isles with a good northeastern horizon will have a chance to see the very end of it if the weather cooperates.

Venus moves off the solar disk at 05:55 BST on the morning of June 6.  From London and Manchester sunrise is at around 04:40 BST meaning, potentially, over an hour of the transit will be visible. The best view will be had from northeastern Scotland where sunrise occurs at around 04:10 and the Sun will be around 9 degrees above the horizon at the end of the transit.

An excellent paper by Peter Macdonald was published in the Journal last June. This explains the transit circumstances for the British Isles and it is available to members via the following link:

http://britastro.org/baa/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=937&Itemid=90

The Royal Astronomical Society is planning to set up a database of events around the country where members of the public can come along to observe the transit. This will consist of an online interactive map that includes location, time and contact details so that people can find out what's happening in their area. If you are involved in, or know of, any public events associated with the transit please send details to transit at britastro.org.

Nick James

[mickw]

So alarm clocks, webcams and solar scopes at the ready.

Has Ken still got the Coronado ?

[The Thing]

I would like to find somewhere accessible where the sunrise will be visible from the horizon. Any ideas?

[Tony G]

Duncan,

Anywhere along this coastline should be good for the sunrise, or the Essex coastline, but keep an eye on your wheels. 

http://binged.it/IuevXx

Tony G

[mickw]

Isn't Deal a favourite for night fishing ?

Likely there's plenty of accessible areas then.

[Mac]

You could always try the old lighthouse just outside of Dover, inbwtween Dover and deal,  it had a concrete carpark, I used to use that quite a bit.

Mac
(still in the canaries  )

[Rick]

[BAA-ebulletin 00671]  Three weeks to the Transit of Venus
(c) 2012 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/

It is now only three weeks until the Transit of Venus on the 5th and 6th of June.

We have created a webpage with information about the Transit, including circumstances and observing techniques at: http://britastro.org/transit2012

We wish to list observing events on the page, so if you are aware ofany Transit events, please send details to webadmin at britastro dot org

Pictures and videos of the transit will be welcome too - please email these to picture at britastro dot org

Let us just hope for good weather and a clear north-east horizon on the 6th.

Callum Potter
Website Manager
2012 May 15