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1529 Views 11 Replies Latest reply: Feb 24, 2012 1:50 AM by VladimirN. RSS
RogerMansfield Bronze 48 posts since
Aug 23, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 8, 2012 8:12 PM

Transit of Venus 2012 June 5-6

Attached are the Mathcad 14-15 worksheet and input data file used to generate the "Transit of Venus 2012 June 5-6" animation (video) that I posted on February 2, 2012. This is an astronomically rigorous calculation based upon accurate geocentric ephemerides of the Sun and Venus.

  

If you have not heard about this astronomical event elsewhere, surely you will, for two reasons! Because (1) this is the last transit of the Sun by Venus that anyone now living is likely to ever see. The next pair of Venus transits will occur on 2117 December 11 and on 2125 December 8. And (2) it will be easy to observe (weather permitting) as well as rare.

  

All you will need is an inexpensive pair of "eclipse glasses," or you can construct a "pinhole camera." But telescopic observation is also possible, with a full-aperture solar filter.

  

So check out the worksheet and video and be watching your local news media as we approach the month of June 2012.

  

CAUTION: Never look directly at the disk of the Sun without approved eclipse glasses. Never point a telescope at the Sun without a full-aperture solar filter properly affixed over the objective lens. Further, the finder scope's objective lens should be blocked with a piece of aluminum foil unless it, too, has an approved solar filter properly affixed.

     

Any questions? First PlanetPTC member to respond gets the points.

  

Roger Mansfield

  

P.S. When you view the video, do as PlanetPTC member Kevin Bradberry suggests and click the box in the lower right of the video viewer to obtain the more legible full-screen animation.

Attachments:
  • VladimirN. Platinum 1,424 posts since
    Sep 26, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 9, 2012 12:55 AM (in response to RogerMansfield)
    Re: Transit of Venus 2012 June 5-6

    Thank you for this Mathcad worksheet.

      • VladimirN. Platinum 1,424 posts since
        Sep 26, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 10, 2012 5:45 AM (in response to RogerMansfield)
        Re: Transit of Venus 2012 June 5-6

        Roger, hello!

         

        Well, I have one: could you please advise a telescope for amateur astronomical observations? Maybe from Meade or Celestron models?

          • VladimirN. Platinum 1,424 posts since
            Sep 26, 2010
            Currently Being Moderated
            Feb 11, 2012 12:00 PM (in response to RogerMansfield)
            Re: Transit of Venus 2012 June 5-6

            Roger,

             

            Thanks for the explanation. I want to buy a telescope, not only to observe a solar eclipse . You are using a model of "Celestron 8 Inch CPC Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope?" Is it possible for such a model using the camera mounting?

              • VladimirN. Platinum 1,424 posts since
                Sep 26, 2010
                Currently Being Moderated
                Feb 13, 2012 12:38 AM (in response to RogerMansfield)
                Re: Transit of Venus 2012 June 5-6

                It would be interesting to see the captured photo from Celestron.

                  • VladimirN. Platinum 1,424 posts since
                    Sep 26, 2010
                    Currently Being Moderated
                    Feb 18, 2012 11:57 PM (in response to RogerMansfield)
                    Re: Transit of Venus 2012 June 5-6

                    Roger,

                     

                    Thank you for all the comments.

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