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Tuesday, June 05, 2012

The Two-Way

How The Transit Of Venus Helped Unlock The Universe

The planet Venus is seen crossing the sun in June 2004 as photographed through a telescope at Planetarium Urania in Hove, Belgium. The earliest known observation of such a transit was in 1639 by English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks.

June 5, 2012 Less than 250 years ago, the brightest minds of the Enlightenment were stumped over how far the Earth is from the sun. The transits of the 1760s helped answer that question, providing a virtual yardstick for the universe.

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Monday, June 04, 2012

The Two-Way

As Venus Transits The Face Of The Sun, Here's How To Safely Watch

Safety over style: In 2006, a Palestinian man and boy were careful to protect their eyes while watching a partial eclipse of the sun. The same cautions are in order for Venus' transit of the sun on Tuesday.

June 4, 2012 Do not stare at the sun! That's the first "tip" from all the experts. Instead, make a trusty "pinhole camera" or get hold of some No. 14 welder's goggles.

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