OU/BBC coverage of the Venus Transit

[Rick]

Here's an OU/BBC PR:

Space spectacular Transit of Venus is TV event

Nobody alive has ever seen it.  An astronomical event that last happened in 1882, the Transit of Venus, will be shown in a one-hour special (a production for the Open University by Screenhouse) hosted by Adam Hart-Davis on BBC Two.

As Venus passes between the Sun and the Earth on the morning of the 8th of June 2004, BBC cameras will be at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and other locations around the country where amateur and professional astronomers witness this curious phenomenon, not seen for 122 years.

The programme will link to events in:

• Much Hoole near Preston, the historic site where the Transit of Venus was first seen by astronomer and curate Jeremiah Horrocks in 1639
  
• Egypt, where enthusiasts will be embarking on a 'transit holiday' to observe the transit in perfect cloud-free conditions

It also takes a trip back in time to James Cook's first voyage to Tahiti, the purpose of which was to observe the Transit of Venus. Transit of Venus will round up the activities from around the country and around the world, and give the results of the 'Stardate' measurement of the distance to the sun (known as the Astronomical Unit - a sort of yardstick for the universe).

In addition, in preparation for the stellar spectacular, BBC Two screens a half-hour prequel spectacular on Saturday 5 June at 5pm as an introduction to the main programme. It will show viewers how to see the transit safely and effectively, and will preview some of the many public events round the country where telescopes will be set up to let people see this extraordinary stellar event.

There is such an interest in this phenomenon that on June 8, BBC One will carry two live reports during its Breakfast programme and again at 0955 and 1200, the latter featuring viewers timing the exact moment when the edge of Venus touches the edge of the sun's disc which will let them measure the distance to the sun. This will happen during the 1200 live broadcast.

Transit of Venus is the first in a series of astronomy programmes that the OU/BBC will be broadcasting over the next year under the title Stardate, all produced by Screenhouse productions.

[Rocket Pooch]

Did we get anywhere with Paul's suggestion to image the complete transit.  I'm up for it providing it not cloudy

Also providing we have the collective disk space?

[Rick]

...and suitable weather. Piers Corbyn's forecast is for rain and thunder.... :/

[Sue]

...Yes but mostly in the west and south west.
He was wrong about yesterday - it didn't rain here anyway. Don't loose hope yet!

[Greg]

The five day forecasts for Tuesday are EXCELLENT!!! BBC and metoffice.
28° light winds and NO CLOUDS. Let's hope it stays that way.

[Rick]

The BBC forecast for the bank holiday weekend last weekend was completely wrong, at least for Orpington. Let's hope they've made a better job of this one...

[Rick]

BAA electronic circular No. 00152

The transit of Venus next Tuesday has already generated a great deal of media interest and the BBC is planning a considerable amount of coverage of the event. In addition to the Sky at Night on Sunday night there will be live coverage on the day from several locations in the UK and from Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt. The live programs will be hosted by Adam Hart-Davis and more details can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/05_may/28/venus.shtml

Here is a summary of the TV coverage on the BBC. In addition to these programmes there will be a number of live spots during "Breakfast Time" on the Tuesday morning.

Saturday 5th June
=================
BBC2 1320-1350  OU Stardate - preparations for the event

Monday 7th June (Sunday night)
===============
BBC1 0000-0025  Sky at Night

Tuesday 8th June
================
BBC1 0950-0955 OU Stardate
BBC1 1200-1215 OU Stardate
BBC2 2320-0020 OU Stardate highlights

From the UK the transit lasts from around 0520-1123 UTC (0620-1223 BST).
Full details can be found here:

       http://www.transitofvenus2004.org.uk/

People with average eyesight should be able to see the transit with the naked eye using suitable protection. By now you should have received the June Journal containing a free BAA Solar Viewer. Please read the safety notes included with the Journal before using the viewer.

Observations and images can be sent via e-mail to:

       venustransit at britastro dot org

These will be forwarded to the BAA transit of Venus coordinator, Peter Macdonald and to the BAA website manager, Callum Potter, for possible inclusion on the website. We also hope to have a preliminary report in the Journal as soon as possible after the event.

Good luck with the weather on the 8th!

Nick James.

[ This Message was edited by: Rick on 2004-06-04 16:26 ]