WOW!

Photograph by Professors Don Wheeler and Brien Dunn published on SpaceWeather.com.

It has been 122 years since Venus crossed the face of the sun as viewed from Earth and Delta's Astronomy Team was there to catch it!  Professors Dunn and Wheeler braved the mosquitoes in a cotton field on Millhaven Road to witness this spectacle not observed since 1882.  Also joining us was Heather Miles and her daughter.

One can easily see Venus near the edge of the sun.  This photo was taken around 6:10 AM CDT.  The northeast portion of the state had only a 23 minute window with which to view the event.  Most of Europe, Africa, and Asia were able to view the entire transit.

The orbit of Earth and Venus creates a condition in which Venus transits the sun in pairs over 100 years apart.  This pair puts Venus transiting the sun on June 8 (see above) of this year and again on June 6, 2012.  The next pair of transits will not occur until December 11, 2117 and December 8, 2125.  In addition, the transits only occur in either June or December.  If you missed it, then wait around until 2012 for the second transit in the pair which should be more visible to North America.

Venus approaching the edge of the sun.

Photos from Germany!
Courtesy of Manfred Wolf