Tuesday, June 12th, 2012...7:59 pm
An Unlikely Space: Transit of Venus at Varsity Stadium
Well you must live on another planet if you didn’t hear about the Transit of Venus last Tuesday (I apologize for the obvious bad space metaphor). It was a big deal for astronomers, and to Toronto in general as myself and as many as 5,000 others observed the movement from Varsity Stadium. With my “Transit of Venus” glasses on, I was able to watch Venus pass in front of the Sun – probably the only time I’ll have to opportunity, as the next transit isn’t slated until 2117.
Don’t all look at once – even with the glasses, viewers were advised only to look for 3 min at a time.
The world watched as this happened, and photos (capturing images far more spectacular than I could see with my naked eye) surfaced world-wide. This collection in particular demonstrates that Venus was attracting everyone’s attention. And though perhaps a bit anti-climactic for us less space-savvy folk, there is something to be said about witnessing anything “once in a lifetime”.
The world was watching -- this photo was captured in Agra, India, featuring the Taj Mahal.
If you missed it, don’t fear, there is video footage (with really dramatic music, I may add). The worst part is that you missed out on the space glasses. I’m sure people will be breaking my door down on the morn of the next solar eclipse to get their hands on a pair of these babies.
- Nifty U of T “Transit” glasses – sunglasses would just be, inaccurate. Photo: Dunlap Institute
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