BajaNomad

The June 5, 2012 Transit of Venus

David K - 11-17-2022 at 10:11 AM

Recording the crossing of Venus over the face of the sun was a huge event for science in 1769 Baja California and other locations around the globe. It helped determine the distance between Earth and the sun.




On June 5th, ten years ago (2012), Venus would again cross the face of the sun, when we could observe it. I got my old dusty telescope out, added the sun filter lens, and spotted the even. I held my camera up to the lens and was able to click a satisfactoty image.

The sun is partially out of the field of view so that is why it is not totally round. Venus is the black dot in front of the sun.

Transit of Venus 11-17-12.jpg - 10kB

When was the last Venus transit?
The last transit of Venus was on 5 and 6 June 2012, and was the last Venus transit of the 21st century; the prior transit took place on 8 June 2004. The previous pair of transits were in December 1874 and December 1882. The next transits of Venus will be in December 2117 and December 2125.

[Edited on 11-17-2022 by David K]