A transit of Venus is one of the rarest of all predictable astronomical
phenomena. It occurs when the planet Venus pass over the visible face of the
Sun as observed from Earth. Transits of Venus occur in pairs, separated by
eight years. These pairs of transits are separated form the previous/next cycle by a period which can vary from approximately 105 to 122 years or so. Hence
transits of Venus have been observed only eight times since invention of the
telescope (c. 1610). In this century transits occurred on 8th June 2004 and 6th June 2012.
Observing a transit of the planet as it passes across the Sun’s disk
requires special precautions due to the fact that an unprotected human eye can
be severely damaged or even blinded by the Sun’s rays, especially its
ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
I had observed and photographed the transit in 2004 and was extremely
keen to observe the 2012 one. As I wished to share the experience I invited
some others to join my wife and me in observing the phenomenon. We were joined
by Enoka and Chris, Shiranie and Trevine, Hasantha and
Rangitha. I fitted three binoculars, my vintage Asahi Pentax telescope and my forty-five year old
Pentax Spotmatic (film) SLR with Baader AstroSolar(R) filters. Trevine brought his
high-tech digital SLR with a 400mm lens which he used with a sheet of polyester solar
filter film that I had.
(Left) Setting up Equipment. I am fitting my solar filter equipped Audubon 8.5 x 44 binoculars on to a camera tripod. The binoculars gave an excellent view of the transit.
Observations were carried out from my home at Dampe which bears the astronomy station designation SXT 94 (see below). Wednesday 6th June started out with heavy clouds and drizzle and we were rather pessimistic about our chances of seeing the transit. Providentially the skies started to clear up at around 8.30 a.m. There was a rush to view the transit which was well in progress. Venus was seen clearly in silhouette against the solar disk along with several sunspots.
(Left) Setting up Equipment. I am fitting my solar filter equipped Audubon 8.5 x 44 binoculars on to a camera tripod. The binoculars gave an excellent view of the transit.
Observations were carried out from my home at Dampe which bears the astronomy station designation SXT 94 (see below). Wednesday 6th June started out with heavy clouds and drizzle and we were rather pessimistic about our chances of seeing the transit. Providentially the skies started to clear up at around 8.30 a.m. There was a rush to view the transit which was well in progress. Venus was seen clearly in silhouette against the solar disk along with several sunspots.
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| Coordinates of the observing station (SXT 94) are 6° 45’ 42”.25 N, 79° 55’
27”.2 E alt + 021msl |
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| Transit team |
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| Transit team 2.. |
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| Binoculars with solar filter |
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| Telescope and camera with solar filters |
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| Shirani and Trevin photograph the transit. |
Rex's image (processed)
Heavy clouds appeared towards the end of the transit with the Sun being
visible in occasional clear patches. I viewed the transit to its very end, but
saw no “black drop” effect that has occasionally been reported in the past.
We were extremely fortunate to view this transit as the next one will
only occur in approximately 105 years (i.e. 2117).
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