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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Venus Transit 2012
NASA ^ | June 07, 2012 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 06/07/2012 8:00:09 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Explanation: Occurring in pairs separated by over a hundred years, there have now been only eight transits of Venus since the invention of the telescope in 1608. The next will be in December of 2117. But many modern telescopes and cameras were trained on this week's Venus transit, capturing the planet in rare silhouette against the Sun. In this sharp telescopic view from Georgia, USA, a narrowband H-alpha filter was used to show the round planetary disk against a mottled solar surface with dark filaments, sunspots, and prominences. The transit itself lasted for 6 hours and 40 minutes. Historically, astronomers used timings of the transit from different locations to triangulate the distance to Venus, while modern astronomers actively search for planets that transit distant suns.

June 07, 2012

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; science; venus
[Credit & Copyright Chris Hetlage]

1 posted on 06/07/2012 8:00:14 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...

2 posted on 06/07/2012 8:00:55 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

I saw this - 8 power binos w/solar filter.

It was awesome.


3 posted on 06/07/2012 8:09:15 PM PDT by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: SunkenCiv

There’s a little black spot on the sun today
It’s the same old thing as yesterday
There’s a black hat caught in a high tree top
There’s a flag-pole rag and the wind won’t stop


4 posted on 06/07/2012 8:21:39 PM PDT by null and void (Day 1234 of our ObamaVacation from reality [and what dark chill/is gathering still/before the storm])
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To: SunkenCiv

The sun has Zits? Blackheads?
Not a healthy environment. Needs some Clearisil, Extra-Large size.


5 posted on 06/07/2012 8:25:01 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: SunkenCiv

Is Venus still in transit?
Celestial movements are generally very fleeting.

May have to go to the welding supply store.


6 posted on 06/07/2012 8:26:45 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: null and void
Quiet Sun~Sol Caliente
7 posted on 06/07/2012 8:29:16 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: SunkenCiv

“The transit itself lasted for 6 hours and 40 minutes.”

I see I missed it.
Such is the way it is with celestial events.
If I still had my welding gear I would have seen it.


8 posted on 06/07/2012 8:39:40 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: SunkenCiv
Transit of Venus and Hubble:

(Nine images of Hubble diagonally across surface lower left to center right)

9 posted on 06/07/2012 9:05:12 PM PDT by null and void (Day 1234 of our ObamaVacation from reality [and what dark chill/is gathering still/before the storm])
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To: null and void

Hey, ain’t that your soul up there?


10 posted on 06/07/2012 9:15:16 PM PDT by deadrock
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To: null and void

Hubble is so tiny.


11 posted on 06/07/2012 9:29:57 PM PDT by DigitalVideoDude (It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit. -Ronald Reagan)
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To: DEADROCK
Hey, ain’t that your soul up there?

Nope. That's my Sol...

12 posted on 06/07/2012 9:32:15 PM PDT by null and void (Day 1234 of our ObamaVacation from reality [and what dark chill/is gathering still/before the storm])
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To: null and void
Backyard prime focus image of the transit of Venus 6/5/2012.

Not quite Hubble quality....

This was a JPEG image, as I continue to process the RAW data images taken, which will have considerably better resolution/detail.

Venus is considered our sister planet as it's close to us and nearly the same size. The planet if put onto our stars surface, could easily fit into most of the sunspots seen near the middle of the image.

Obtained at prime focus, with a 10" SCT, 6.3 focal reducer with a Canon 40D.

13 posted on 06/07/2012 9:49:47 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

Looks good. I had my weekly golf league match, with a tee time coinciding pretty closely to the onset of the transit. I used 7X35 binoculars for eyepiece projection onto the scorecard pad of my hand pulled golf cart. I could see Venus quite distinctly, but no sun spots. I have to say I was a little disappointed with the lack of interest by my fellow golfers, although several of them did take a look. The way of the Golfstronomer is hard.


14 posted on 06/07/2012 10:59:59 PM PDT by dr_lew
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To: dragnet2

Weather here was cloudy all Tuesday with a few brief moments of sunshine.The Sun peeked through a hole in the clouds fleetingly twice,just long enough that I could get a look around the time of second contact and a half-hour later.Neither look lasted a full minute.Didn’t get any pictures.Used 90mm telescope with solar filter.

But I can honestly say I DID see it!


15 posted on 06/08/2012 4:33:28 AM PDT by hoosierham (Freedom isn't free)
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To: hoosierham

Glad you saw it...You’re a ham radio operator too?

If so, me too.

BTW, I would not have missed that for anything. I was lucky to get some shots off as I was having issues other than weather.


16 posted on 06/08/2012 10:15:47 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dr_lew

Thanks...

Lew, ya should have told the golfers it was a golf ball crossing in front of the sun...That would have got their attention!


17 posted on 06/08/2012 10:24:03 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: dragnet2

So if I’m not,then you aren’t?

What if it refers to acting style in local theater?

Back on topic, I wish that I had been aware of and taken steps to see the 2004 transit.

Saw the striking conjunction (V-S-Moon)earlier this spring but took no pictures.


18 posted on 06/08/2012 7:14:24 PM PDT by hoosierham (Freedom isn't free)
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To: hoosierham
Yes, when I get time, I enjoy shortwave radio, the amateur bands, designing antennas etc.

BTW, I never heard of ham acting...Then again, I'm not much into theater etc. Take care.

19 posted on 06/08/2012 8:18:23 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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