Transit of Mercury on Monday. Behold, because again only in 2032 – TVN Meteo

On Monday we will have the unique opportunity to watch the transit of Mercury. The planet will be in a straight line between the Earth and the sun. This is by far the most important astronomical event 2,016 years.

The transit of Mercury will begin on May 9 pm. 13.12 Polish time. Then the planet comes into contact with the edge of the solar disk, and after a few minutes already in full will be on the background of the solar disk. Maximum transit will be in the chair. 16.56, and Mercury will leave the solar disc of 20.41. Same tip of transit can not be seen from the area of ​​Polish, because the sun has time to become a little earlier. Still waiting for us many hours of astronomical observation.

And if the weather allows us to observe the transit of Mercury? According to forecasts cheerful aura will continue to mainly to the west and north Polish. In other regions of the sun sometimes will hide behind the clouds and are announced showers and storms.

How to watch?

To observe the transit of Mercury on the background of the solar disc, but not enough to the naked eye, because the planet it is too small. What is needed is an optical equipment (binoculars) equipped with a suitable filter with Mylar foil or glass. An alternative method of observation is a projection image of the Sun on the screen, although it may not be very beneficial for our equipment (because temperatures can damage plastic components). With the method of projection must be constantly supervised telescope, because inexperienced people may try to look directly into the eyepiece.

Astronomers warn that in any case, do not look directly at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope, which are not equipped with special filters – may cause serious damage or even blindness.

not all

What if we do not have suitably equipped telescope or if the weather is not? In many places Polish Planetariums, observatories and astronomical local clubs will organize demonstrations for volunteers and Internet transmissions. On Monday at 12.30 in Warsaw amateur astronomy will gather at the Copernicus Science Centre to jointly telebeam observe Mercury against the sun. The event will take Karol Wojcicki, which will be reported on the phenomenon. You can also keep track of the Internet.

Not everyone will be so lucky to see Mercury on Monday against the sun. The phenomenon is not directly visible in Japan and other parts of East Asia and Oceania.

Another in 2032.

Between the Earth and the Sun are only two planets – Mercury and Venus. For this reason, they can only be found on the Earth-Sun line. Due to the orbits of the two planets, such a situation can occur only in the vicinity of 8 May and 10 November. During May happens every 7, 13 or 33 years, and in November intervals of 13 or 33 years. Unfortunately, the transit is not always visible in Poland. Recently we could see it in our country in 2003.

And what about the transit of Venus? Unfortunately we no longer see. This phenomenon occurs in the interval 121,5-8-105,5-8 years. Because the last transit took place in 2013, the next will be seen in the year 2117.