Studying up for The Transit

Posted at 11:48 AM on June 4, 2012 by Bob Collins (2 Comments)
Filed under: Science

"The harmony between poor mathematics and science has never been more perfect than our study of the transit of Venus."

Considering all of the scientific achievements in the history of us, that's a compelling invitation to an event tomorrow.

Venus will make a nearly seven-hour voyage across the face of the sun tomorrow.

Scientists will calibrate the instruments they use to hunt for planets with atmospheres. That's a step ahead of the last few times transits occurred, in which scientist used them to calculate the distance to the sun. One can only wonder, of course, what the next Venus transit -- in 2117 -- will be useful for.

Here are some resources for safely watching the transit. If you don't feel like looking directly at the sun -- and you shouldn't, by the way -- you can watch the whole thing online.

Here's the schedule for the Saint Paul area:

Go here to find the schedule in your area.

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Comments (2)

Thanks Bob!

Posted by Paul (@princejvstin) | June 4, 2012 12:36 PM

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Bob may not have realized this video was part one. Here's a link to part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH8KUbbHPv8

And, here is info on two public viewing events hosted by the University of Minnesota. No doubt there are more around town:
http://www1.umn.edu/news/news-releases/2012/UR_CONTENT_391267.html

Posted by Marty | June 4, 2012 12:54 PM

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