The College of Charleston Department of Physics and Astronomy will host a public viewing of rare event involving the planet Venus and the Sun on June 5, 2012. On that day, Venus will pass across the face of the sun, producing a silhouette that no one alive today will likely see again. The next one is not expected until the year 2117.
During the “transit of Venus”, the planet can be seen from Earth as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun. The duration of such transits is usually measured in hours.
The College will have telescopes available to view the planet Venus crossing in front of the Sun. Safe solar filters will be given to the first 50 participants to arrive.
The public viewing is free and will be held in Rivers Green behind the Addlestone Library on the corner of Calhoun and Coming Streets starting at 6:00 p.m.
