Transit of Venus 2012

On June 5 - 6, 2012, a very notable celestial event takes place that is so rare that it will not be seen again by anyone now living. On June 8, 2004 Venus crossed the face of the Sun for the first time since the 19th century. This spectacle will be repeated again this June for the last time until 2117. Numerous science and other organizations have some special plans for this rare event, which will be seen by most of the world's population.

The entire transit will be visible from the western Pacific Ocean, northwesternmost North America, northeastern Asia, Japan, the Philippines, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and high Arctic locations including northernmost Scandinavia, and Greenland. In North America, the Caribbean, and northwestern South America, the beginning of the transit will be visible on 5 June until sunset. From sunrise on 6 June, the end of the transit will be visible from South Asia, the Middle East, east Africa and most of Europe. It will not be visible from most of South America or western Africa.

Transit of Venus 2004.

2012's Transit of Venus will be the last until the 22nd century.

CAUTION: Safe viewing of the Transit of Venus: The sun, a very bright star, is of course very dangerous to human vision. There are safe ways to view the transit directly and interdirectly. See information here


Ten facts about the The Transit of Venus here


Astronomers Without Borders: One People One Sky free ToV apps here

See a live NASA webcast here

Shirley Hazzard's novel, Transit of Venus here