fields 0 #1 November 7, 2006 I got this from Launch Alert MERCURY CROSSES THE SUN Astronomy Magazine news release On November 8, the solar system’s innermost planet will pass in front of the Sun’s disk for the last time in a decade. WAUKESHA, WI — Next Wednesday afternoon, the planet Mercury will be visible in silhouette as it slides across the Sun's face. This event, called a transit, lasts about 5 hours as Mercury passes Earth. People with Internet access can watch the event from their computers thanks to a few live webcasts (Clear skies permitting, of course). For links to the webcasts, visit Astronomy magazine’s online media kit for this event at http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=4644. Advanced observers will watch the planetary shadow play with telescopes and safe solar-viewing equipment and techniques. A properly filtered telescope will provide the best view, because Mercury will appear only 1/194 the size of the Sun. The planet will look like a small, dark sunspot as it moves across the solar surface. Even a brief glimpse of the Sun through a telescope can permanently damage vision, so observers must use safe Sun-viewing techniques. Mercury begins its journey across the Sun at 2:12 p.m. EST [11:12 a.m.PST]. Astronomers call this moment "first contact." Two minutes later, Mercury's entire disk appears against the Sun's (second contact). For the next 4 hours and 54 minutes, the black dot slowly crosses the brilliant disk. At 7:08 p.m. EST [4:08 p.m. PST], Mercury reaches the Sun's edge, marking third contact. The transit ends (fourth contact) 2 minutes later. Observers under clear skies across North America will be able to see portions of the event before sunset, but the entire transit will be visible for those near the West Coast. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #2 November 7, 2006 Cool! Love this kinda shit.... I'm going to set my calendar to remind me to head outside tomorrow and check it out! g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #3 November 7, 2006 QuoteCool! Love this kinda shit.... I'm going to set my calendar to remind me to head outside tomorrow and check it out! g REALLY????? How YOU doin???? Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #4 November 7, 2006 QuoteREALLY????? Yup. g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #5 November 7, 2006 QuoteQuoteREALLY????? Yup. g well....let me show you my meteorites..... Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
