June 05, 2012 07:45 Canon 50D Tokina 400mm AT-X F/5.6 Black polymer solar filter 1/3200 400mm F/8.0 ISO 400 Kitt Peak National Observatory outside of Tucson, Arizona USA For the June 5, 2012 Venus transit, Steve and I traveled to Kitt Peak National Observatory outside of Tucson, Arizona. On a cycle of 121 years, 8 years, 105 years, 8 years then starting over back to 121 years the orbits of Earth and Venus align in such a way that Venus is visible from Earth transiting the face of the Sun. The next Venus transit occurs December 11, 2117. And no, that is not a typo 2117.11.12. Sunspots are also visible in the image. (Back to Astronomy Home) |