The Second Transit of Venus

   Well, I've seen it twice now! In perfect conditions, on a blue-skied, sunny day, overlooking the beautiful Derwent River in Hobart. For those poor unfortunates who aren't interested in sciency things, it is probably hard to imagine the absolute thrill that simple events like the Transit of Venus bring to those of us who are. Oki, Jack and I saw the last Transit of Venus up at our local park in Gordon (Sydney), one afternoon in June, 2004. Oki had set up his telescope with a sun filter, and we had a fantastic view as Venus edged its way slowly across the top part of the Sun. Venus looked far bigger and far more three-dimensional than I had expected, and it made me realise just how close we are to that planet, and just how big Earth must look in the sky, as seen from Venus or Mars. We watched Venus that day until the Sun set.

   Today, once again in June, but this time in the morning, Venus began its transit across the lower part of the Sun at about 8.15 a.m. Having just joined the Astronomical Society of Tasmania, I was lucky enough to be able to look through their collection of telescopes that were set up on a small hill beside the river. The weather was perfect - clear, calm and very warm for the beginning of Winter. Everyone was friendly and just as excited as I was. I first looked through a big, fat Meade, then at a computer screen attached to another telescope, next through a Dobsonian - the "light bucket" of telescopes - then through a camera attached to a very powerful telephoto lens, and finally - and most exciting of all - through a hydrogen-alpha filter which allowed me to see not only Venus, but also some solar prominences at two different places on the Sun. The transit will finish at about 2.45 p.m., so this event is at the perfect time of day to give people a really good chance to enjoy this special appointment with Venus. The next transit will be in 2117 - so if you missed it this time, tough!

Although I loved seeing Venus again today, the atmosphere was shimmering and the planet's disc looked very two-dimensional compared with the last time I saw it. The little, three-dimensional "ball bearing" that I saw cross the Sun in 2004 will be the image of Venus that I carry with me for the rest of my life.