Venus transit draws hundreds to roof top viewing
(CNS): Hundreds of people young and old queued around Camana Bay Tuesday evening in order to get a glimpse of the once in a lifetime transit of the planet Venus across the face of the sun. The viewing event onthe rooftop of 62 Forum Lane was organised by the Cayman Islands Astronomical Society (CIAS) and marked its 21st anniversary. Local stargazers were also involved in a worldwide experiment to time the two points when Venus started and finished its journey across the face of the Sun, which took around seven hours.
Most of the 1,000 or so visitors, however, were just happy to get chance to glimpse the rare planetary event and watch Earth’s near neighbour pass the Sun safely with the help of special viewing glasses and telescopes.
The planet was visible in Cayman for around two hours during the early part of its transit until the Sun set around 7pm. Anyone who missed it missed the opportunity of a lifetime as the second planet from the Sun won’t make this journey for another 105 years.
Transits of Venus occur in pairs separated by eight years. Each pair is in turn separated by an alternating interval of 105.5 and 121.5 years, making a cycle of 243 years. The last transit of Venus was in June 2004, when modern instruments gave the best views ever, and the next transit of Venus will not be seen from Earth until 2117.
Astronomers around the world used the latest technology to document the transit and NASA captured some amazing pictures of rare spectacle. A high definition short video can be viewed here.
For more information on Cayman’s own astrological society and how to join contact chris.cooke@gov.ky or visit Facebook.com/ Cayman Islands Astronomical Society.
Category: Science and Nature
Very kind of the Astronomical Society and its Volunteers to give their time and allow access to their fancy equipment for this unique celestial event. We are lucky to have them! Many thanks!
I was glad to be part of history. Even though we had to wait a bit, the experience was still "cool"
No refreshments were served. Cookie get you act together
Strangely enough, there was no charge either. You are either one ungrateful SOB, or have a curious sense of humour coupled with an indifference as to how your comment may be perceived by people who offered their time and equipment free of charge.