Solar transit of Mercury: Rare astronomical event to occur on May 9

This relatively rare event happens only a dozen times a century – the last time was a decade ago.

Because Mercury and Venus are closer to the sun than Earth is, the two planets occasionally pass between Earth and the sun, performing something called a solar transit.

On 9 of May, the mercury will appear in front of the sun.it will appear as a small black dot because of its small size in comparison with Sun.

Astromists have warned the public to not look directly at the sun, as you risk damaging your eyes.

NASA will post images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Very similar to the reason why we do not have solar and lunar eclipses every month, the rarity of a Mercury transit is due to the planet’s tilted orbit.

Stargazers can also observe the event through a telescope with a strong filter.

The last alignment occurred in 2006.

The black drop may also be visible at third contact, when Mercury begins to leave the sun’s disk some 7.5 hours later. The spell will be a brief one in India and Chennaites will have only 90 minutes to view the transit as the sun sets. Inside the museum, hourly commentary will be provided by Tellus Astronomer David Dundee and other Tellus Museum staff. Plus, enjoy live sky tours in the Bentley Planetarium throughout Mercury’s transit.

On Monday, observers in the United States will have the chance to see a transit of the planet Mercury.

“Scientifically, this was much more important a few hundred years ago”, Nancy Chabot, who served as lead imaging scientist for NASA’s MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging mission (MESSENGER), told The Post.

Jackson says no one should ever look at the sun with the naked eye.

The equipment will be available from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Visitors are encouraged to park on side streets around campus or in designated visitor parking lots.

So please hope for clear weather.