What's the big deal you ask? The next time this happens will be in 2032! Usually Mercury's orbit is a little out of plane (the planets are kind of lined up like a pancake...) compared to Earth's point of view so we can't see it transit the Sun every time it revolves around. Usually it is above or below the Sun. Today was the day we could see Mercury in all its glory as it passed by the Sun. It took Mercury five and a half hours to complete the transit, and then it went on its way.
What's that? You missed it?
Well, the last Mercury transit was in 2016 and the next one happens in 2032...if you want to catch Mercury then here is a video that will help you prepare for that event, plus, there is great information about why Mercury does this 13 times per 100 years.
The heavens are full of interesting and exciting events that occur at regular times. Astronomers have been looking up for a long time and recording these events to see if there is a pattern. For many of these events there is a pattern! Comets that orbit into view, meteor showers, asteroids that swing by. It's really worth it to always keep looking up!
I really want to see the next Mercury transit. It's only about 12 years away!
ReplyDeleteI will not look at the sun, sorry.
ReplyDeleteYay we can see the mercury transit without burning our eyes or buying a fancy telescope
ReplyDeleteI think its cool it is so long until the next murcury transit
ReplyDeleteI'm already blind so I'll look @ the sun.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the sun for a long period of time is good for your eyes
ReplyDeleteIf you look at Mercury while it's traveling across the sun you might go blind. (why I missed it)
ReplyDeleteBill Nye spotted!
ReplyDeleteMercury is poisonous and if you look at it while its going around the sun, you'll go blind.
ReplyDelete