Bays Mountain hosting Venus Observing Session
KINGSPORT –
Transit of Venus – Observing Session
When: Tuesday, June 5, 2012; 5:30 p.m. until Sunset
Where: East Tennessee State University Campus, Athletic Fields in front of Basler Center for Physical Activity
Free!
In the early evening of June 5, Venus will transit the Sun! This is when the planet Venus will travel between the sun and earth so precisely, that Venus will be seen as a small black dot moving slowly across the face of the Sun. ‚ Such an alignment is so rare that it wont happen again until the year 2117. ‚ Historically, Venus transits from the 18th century were used to determine the size of the Solar System! ‚ The ETSU Department of Physics & Astronomy and the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club are offering the public an opportunity to safely view this rare astronomical phenomenon and to relive those exciting moments of past exploration. ‚ Many telescopes with solar filters will be available to view this historic event.
Event Details:
Telescopes will be set up on the athletic fields located on the West end of the ETSU campus just North of the Basler Center for Physical Activity. Plenty of parking is available off of Greenwood Dr. next to the tennis courts.
6:04 p.m. – Transit begins
6:22 p.m. – Venus completely within the disk of the Sun
8:45 p.m. – Sunset
The transit will be visible for approximately two hours. ‚ It will begin at 6:04 PM when Venus first reaches the limb of the Sun. ‚ However, the small black dot will not become fully visible until 6:22 PM when it is completely within the disk of the Sun. ‚ The dot will then very slowly crawl across the solar disk, the entire journey taking almost seven hours. ‚ Visitors should plan, however, to get their view of the transit well before sunset as the Sun will be dropping below the horizon and no longer visible from the ETSU campus by 8:30 PM that evening.
Please note that in the event of inclement weather or heavily overcast skies preventing the Sun to be seen, the event will be cancelled.
For more information about the event contact the ETSU Department of Physics & Astronomy at 423-439-6906 or Bays Mountain Park at (423)229-9447.
Visit‚ http://www.baysmountain.com/Astronomy/events_astro.html for additional information.
Directions:
From Interstate 26 (I-26):
Take exit 24 for US321/TN-67
At the end of the exit ramp, Turn left onto University Pkwy.
Turn left onto W. State of Franklin Rd.
Turn left onto Greenwood Dr.
Cross Jack Vest Dr., parking is on the left and the observing is on the field to the right.
Those wishing to learn more about the transit and its history have the opportunity to visit Bays Mountain Planetarium to see “When Venus Transits the Sun.” ‚ Shows are $4/person and are held, for May, at 4 p.m. on Tues.-Fri. and 1 & 4 p.m. Sat. & Sun. ‚ For June, up through June 8th, at 1 & 4 p.m. daily.
This planetarium show was produced by Bays Mountain Park staff and is being seen in planetaria throughout the world in twelve countries!