The Transit of Venus 2012

Affiliation(s): AAQ

Session details: Saturday, 2012-04-07 03:30:00, TBA

Abstract

Your last chance to see a rare and historical transit of Venus is on 6th June 2012. The next will not be for another 105 years. There have only been six transits of Venus since the phenomenon was first recognized in the 17th century. The orbital characteristics of the Earth and Venus create the 243 year repetitive cycle of these transits that is very reminiscent of the saros series of recurring total solar eclipses. Amateurs will need to be prepared to make the most of the occasion that this year’s transit presents for observation and photography. This presentation will review the circumstances of the Transit, discuss weather prospects, and make some suggestions about imaging of this once in a lifetime event (twice if you saw the 2004 transit).

Biography

Terry Cuttle is a retired engineer and keen amateur astronomer and the immediate past Vice President of the Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ). As well as being an eclipse enthusiast, he has a particular interest in transits, comets and other transient phenomena and enjoys the challenge of travel to, experiencing and photographing these events. His interest in transits of Venus was immediately raised when he discovered it could also be called an eclipse. He has prepared most of the astronomical material used in the Transit of Venus Australia 2012 project, which is a collaboration between AAQ and Spatial Sciences industries.