Just passing by

 

Transit of Venus, 6 June, 2012

     Last night it was overcast and we were expecting snow.  This morning, the skies cleared and it was a beautiful day.  The low-lying late autumn sun was bright in the sky.  In front of Southland Hospital coworkers and visitors were able to glimpse the reflected image of Venus paaing between the Earth and the sun.  Five or six sunspots were also visible.  The last time that a transit of Venus could be seen from this part of the world, Captain James Cook was in the neighborhood.

     A colleague suggested a brief excursion to a local school where many students were using a variety of projectors and filters to view the event.  It was great fun to add the above Newtonian reflector to the viewing options.  Many students were intrigued by the other viewing possibilities (at night).  I will have to visit the local observatory.

     Many thanks to my loving bride for help in bringing various necessities to me and taking some photos as well.