Planning Ahead

Hey Space Placers!

I want to give you a heads up on two upcoming astronomical events so you can plan accordingly. But before I do, read the following safety advisory:

****NEVER look directly at the Sun as it will cause eye damage and possibly blindness; ALWAYS use approved and safe solar filters.******

On May 20th there will be an annular eclipse of the Sun that will be visible for much of the globe, but not the eastern U.S. In an annular eclipse the New Moon cannot cover the Sun completely so a "ring" is seen around the Sun. For details on this event check: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html

and

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/A-Preview-of-May-20ths-Annular-Eclipse-141037803.html

On June 5th/6th the planet Venus will transit the Sun - cross the face of the Sun as seen from Earth. This is literally a once-in-a-lifetime evnt as the next Venus transit of the Sun is in 2117! For the eastern U.S. we will see the start of the transit but the Sun soon sets afterwards. For details on this event check:

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/transit12.html

Here are some tips on how to SAFELY view and photograph these events:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Safely-View-the-Upcoming-Eclipse-and-Transit-150863835.html

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/How-to-Photograph-the-Solar-Eclipse-and-the-Transit-of-Venus-149902015.html

I'll have more on these events as we get closer.

Order your safe solar filter/solar filter glasses now from one of the companies listed in the articles.

Sky Guy in VA