Stargazers to get rare glimpse of Venus transit June 5


Before sunset, Tuesday, June 5, the planet Venus will make its last journey across the sun as seen from Earth until the year 2117. FIU astronomy and astrophysics professor James R. Webb is setting up a viewing station for stargazers to witness the transit starting at 6 p.m. on the fourth floor of FIU’s Red Parking Garage on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus.

“The transit can only be seen using a telescope equipped with the proper sun filters,” Webb said. “For many, myself included, this will be the first and last time they will witness a Venus transit. All we can do is hope for clear skies.”

According to NASA, most of North and Central America, and northern South America will witness the beginning of the transit. Observers in Europe, western and central Asia, eastern Africa and western Australia will see the end of the event.

The relatively rare occurrence happens in pairs with more than a century separating each pair. This year’s transit will be the second of this century’s pair – the last occurring in 2004. This time, Venus will be the closest it’s ever been to the sun since 1639.

For information, visit astroscience.fiu.edu.