3 June 2004

Venus passing the sun, photo by Mark Stites

On 8 June 2004 an astronomical event will occur that no living person has seen – The Transit of Venus. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and Charles Darwin University will jointly celebrate this rare and historic event in the grounds of the Museum commencing at 2:30pm. The public are invited to participate in this momentous occasion.

A public lecture, discussing the event, will be held the previous evening on Monday 7 June in the Museum and Art Gallery Theatrette starting at 7:00pm.

Astronomy tutor at Charles Darwin University, Geoff Carr, is thrilled that the event is being commemorated. “The lawns of the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT offer a perfect view of the western horizon, and it is appropriate given that the Space: Reaching Out exhibition is here too.” he said.

Geoff Carr

The event has special significance to Australia since Captain Cook’s primary reason for sailing to the South Pacific was to observe the event in Tahiti in 1761. He then went on to ‘discover’ Australia and New Zealand.”

The Transit has been observed on five previous occasions: 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874 and 1882. It occurs twice every 243 years, in a pair of transits 8 years apart.

“The Transit is like a miniature eclipse. Venus will travel slowly across the face of the sun taking about six hours to cross. From Darwin we will witness the beginning as Venus begins to move across the face of the sun but not the exit as the sun will set when Venus is about mid-way across.” Mr Carr said.

Public observing begins at 2.30pm, with displays and a telescope. After Venus has ‘entered’ the face of the Sun, the telescope will be turned towards sunspots. “Not many people have looked at the sun through a telescope, so seeing sunspots will be an added bonus.” Mr Carr said.

Astronomers viewing the transit of venus on ANZAC Hill at Alice Springs Images by Adrian Patten, Infomation Services from Alice Springs Campus

“The University has special solar filters for our telescopes that allow us to view the transit safely.” he added. The Museum & Art Gallery of the NT will also provide 50 pairs of solar sunglasses for visitors. But you won’t need any fancy equipment to see the Transit, just a number 13 grade welder’s glass or eclipse glasses.

Organisers issue a safety warning stressing the public should NOT look directly at the sun and to NOT view the sun through any material that is not completely safe. If you are going to watch it with welding glass it MUST be grade 13. Less dark glass is not safe.

Entry to the observation is free and begins at 2.30pm on Tuesday 8 June and goes until sunset. The lecture is also free, commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 7 June in the Museum Theatrette.