April 18, 2012
The transit of Venus is a rare astronomical event that has a special significance for lovers of Australian history.
The 1769 transit – when the planet Venus passed across the face of the Sun – was one of the reasons that Captain James Cook was sent to the South Pacific.
As well as making accurate observations of the event, he also “discovered” Australia and New Zealand, and the rest, as they say, is history …
The next Transit of Venus will occur on Wednesday, June 6, between 8:00am and 3:00pm.
Maidenwell astronomer James Barclay says that is so a rare an event that no one alive today will ever see it again.
It only happens in pairs every 124 years.
“While you won’t be able to see the planet against the glare of the Sun with the naked eye, you will see it with special solar glasses and filters,” he said.
James is planning a special all-day event at the Maidenwell Observatory to mark the occasion.
“All the telescopes will not only be covered up in solar film so the visitor can see the silhouette of the planet against the backdrop of our nearest star, we will also be showing it live as it happens, projected onto a big screen in our 77-seat Star Theatre,” James said.
“The planet will take about seven hours to pass from one side of the Sun to the other but the observatory will be doing a time-lapse video recording which will be available on a disc the next day.
“Visitors will be able to sample and buy Cranes Wines, yummy food products from Taste South Burnett and the local Trading Post store will be serving Devonshire Teas throughout the day. The local hotel will be serving a pig-on-the-spit lunch from 11:30am.”
For more information, phone James on (07) 4164-6194 or visit the Maidenwell Observatory website
Bookings for the Transit of Venus Day at the Observatory, and for lunch at the Maidenwell Hotel, will be essential.
The Observatory also has special solar glasses and filters available for sale.
