Just a friendly reminder that there will be a transit of Mercury across the sun in ONE WEEK, on May 9th. The last time this occurred was 2006 and it won't happen again until Nov. 2019.
And here's a visibility chart. As you see, the entire transit will be visible for the eastern North America, Western Europe, and most of South America. Most of the rest of the world will get to see at least part of the transit. Sorry Australia and east Asia; you're fucked.
How do you even view this?
>>8046278
Sweet! I'll be sure to stare at the sun that day.
>>8046302
Ideally, with a telescope that has a solar filter over it.
Though there will also be livestreams you can watch, like this one from the slooh community observatory.
https://main.slooh.com/event/transit-of-mercury/
>>8046282
Dang, I saw it in 2006 at least. I've seen the transition of Venus as well, good times classics hits. wsfm
>>8046282
>in progress at sunrise
well I won't be viewing in real time
Will I be able to tell it is happening by just looking at the sun with sunglasses on?
>>8046836
From what I've read, you need a telescope with at least 60x magnification before you can even see Mercury. It's just that small and far away.
>>8046317
Be sure to protect your eyes by squinting.
>>8048336
I'lll stare at night.
