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For Immediate Release: May 9, 2012
at TELUS World of Science - Edmonton on June 5, 2012.
Edmonton, AB - With such a rare event occurring in our skies, we are holding a viewing party at our Observatory. Come and safely watch the transit through the telescopes in our Observatory with members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The following is a list of times for the Transit of Venus as seen from Edmonton:
- External Ingress: 4:05 p.m. MDT
- Internal Ingress: 4:22 p.m. MDT
- Venus at greatest ingress over the Sun's Disc (mid-transit): 7:26 p.m. MDT
- Sun and Venus set in the NOrthwest (transit still in progress): 9:56 p.m. MDT
The Transit of Venus event is among the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena, Edmonton will not see another Transit of Venus until the year 2125! Watch from TELUS World of Science - Edmonton as Venus passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, our observatory has all of the equipment that you will need to safely observe this extravagant spectacle. During this spectacular event, Venus can be seen as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun. See a simulation of the Transit of Venus and learn more about what is up in our night sky in the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre's newest full-dome experience When Venus Transits the Sun.
Viewing the Transit of Venus requires special filters or optical instruments and is dangerous to watch without proper protection, just like a solar eclipse. Our telescopes will be outfitted with proper solar filters, and safe viewing glasses will also be available for purchase in our Gift Shop. Do not try to view the Transit of Venus or the Sun if you are unsure on how to do this safely. Do not use: Sunglasses, Smoked Glass, Welder's Filter less than a #14 shade, exposed pieces of photographic film, photographic neutral density filters, dark garbage bags, binoculars or a telescope without a proper solar filter at the aperture. Safe Viewing Methods include: #14 (Number Fourteen) Welding Filter, special metal coated mylar solar eclipse viewing glasses (which are available for purchase at our Gift Shop), proper solar filters for telescopes (attached at the front of the telescope, never the eye piece), pinhole projection.
For individuals wishing to look at the Transit of Venus, TELUS World of Science - Edmonton and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be setting up telescopes by the Observatory for safe public viewing of this event from 3:30 pm - 10:00 pm. The Observatory is free of charge! Remember, the event is weather dependant and consequently viewing the event at the TELUS World of Science will be cancelled if there is substantial cloud cover.
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TELUS World of Science - Edmonton is a world-class, broad-based science centre that inspires and motivates people to learn about and contribute to science and technology. TELUS World of Science - Edmonton is a leader in providing high quality, interactive programs and exhibits that provide an avenue for both learning and entertainment, and which spark the imagination of people of all ages. The Edmonton Space & Science Foundation is a non-profit organization that operates TELUS World of Science - Edmonton.
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