A rare astronomical event — transit of planet Venus — will occur on June 6. In Chennai the event can be seen from sunrise till 10.22 a.m. During the transit, Venus can be seen from Earth as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun. The planet will actually pass directly between the Sun and Earth, becoming visible in the foreground of the bright solar disk.
The orbits of Mercury and Venus lie inside Earth's orbit, so they are the only planets which can pass between Earth and Sun to produce a transit. In the case of Mercury, about 13 transits occur in a century. However, Venus transits occur approximately four times in 243 years.
In order to explain the scientific importance of the event and the various methods of observing it, a special awareness programme will be arranged at the B.M. Birla Planetarium, Periyar Science and Technology Centre, Gandhimandapam Road, today between 10 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.
Those interested may contact B.M. Birla Planetarium by calling 2441 0025 or by sending e-mail to >tnstc.science@gmail.com or >tnstc@md5.vsnl.net.in
Only 100 persons will be admitted on first-come-first served basis. There is no registration fee.
T.N. Astronomical Society
The Tamil Nadu Astronomical Society is also organising an event in the city for the public to observe the Venus transit in aegis with Exnora International and Breakthrough Science Society.
This event will be held at Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar. Arrangements are being made for school children and the public to safely view the transit using a special solar telescope (PST). This event is free for school children and is being sponsored by The Camera Citi, Besant Nagar. For details, one can contact D. Vijayakumar, president, Tamil Nadu Astronomical Society, at Ph: 93828 70662.
This report has been corrected for typographical errors
