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Mercury Transit public events:
November 9th 2006 NASA info
For NZ, the Transit begins at 8:12am and continues until 1:10pm. See it for yourself at Carter Observatory. call Ron Fisher on (04) 472 8167 more..
Pics from Tony Travaglia - Oamaru
Hi Paul...find attached Mercury in transit....about 40 mins into the
transit across the suns face...and the whole suns disc.
Of course you can publish them if you want!!!
Thanks
Ciao
Tony Travaglia
Oamaru
click on image for larger version....
Whangarei Astronomical Society
Whakatane Astronomical Society
Dargaville High School Astronomy Adventures
Auckland Star Dome Observatory
Wellington Carter Observatory
see RASNZ website events page for details.
WAS mercury transit observations at ..... tba
The transit commences at about 19:12 UT on November 8 and ends at about 00:10 UT on November 9. For New Zealand observers, these times translate to 8:12 am and 1:10 pm NZDT on Thursday, November 9. Mercury will take just under 2 minutes to cross the Sun's limb at both the start and the end of the transit.
As the transit starts, the Sun will have an altitude a little over 20° as seen from most of New Zealand, highest in the north-east, but down to 19° at Invercargill. It will be to the east. The end of the transit occurs just before the Sun is at its highest. (RASNZ)
Transit's are very interesting and beautiful events.
Moons and Planets can occasionally be seen travelling across the face of their parent body. The moons of Jupiter are frequently passing in front of the Planet, and the timing of these events can be very important to astronomers.
Mercury and Venus pass across the face of the sun less frequently, however the measurements obtained at such times are exceedingly important to scientific research.
Recent Venus Transits:
Recent Mercury Transits:
Next Venus Transit:
Next Mercury Transit:
November 9th 2006 NASA info
Images from 2003:
photos by Zoltan Deak - Bucharest Astroclub
photos by Zoltan Deak - Bucharest Astroclub
Edited: 09-October-2006
See the credits page for more of 'em.
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