Transit of Venus – Once in a Lifetime Opportunity says Brevard County Public Defender Election Candidate, Rhoden

Tomorrow we will have a once in a lifetime opportunity – or at least for most of us it will be once in our lifetime.  June 5, 2012 marks the Transit of Venus – an event that only happens every 100 years. Astronomers and layperson planet watchers will experience this fantastic event in different areas across the world.

The “Transit of Venus” happens when the planet Venus traverses in its orbit right across the sun. I read that some have referred to the image of Venus crossing the sun as a beauty mark on the face of our sun because it looks like a dark, almost black spot against the bright sun.

Venus is a bit shy as this Transit is one of the rarest events in our sky.  The last time this occurred it was June 2004.  The next is due in 2117.  The reason for the rarity of this event is due to the orbits of Venus and earth as well as the axis on which these planets orbit.   I’m not an expert, I just enjoy the sky and stars and feel that this event is one not to miss.

Those of us in North America and particularly in Brevard County, Florida can view this event beginning in the afternoon hours of June 5 and lasting approximately 7 hours.   If you are not able to watch this live – NASA has a great site set up and you can watch the Venus Transit on the web!