[MIham] Countdown to the Transit of Mercury

[Frank]

Space Weather News for Nov. 5, 2006
http://spaceweather.com

TRANSIT OF MERCURY:  On Wednesday, Nov. 8th, Mercury will pass directly in
front of the sun. The rare transit will be visible from the Americas, Hawaii
and all around the Pacific Rim.  It begins at 2:12 p.m. EST (11:12 a.m. PST)
and lasts for nearly five hours.

Because Mercury is so small, only a tiny fraction of the sun will be
covered.  So don't stare at the sun on Wednesday; it will be as blinding as
ever. Instead, try to view the event through a properly-filtered solar
telescope. Mercury's tiny, jet-black silhouette passing in front of solar
prominences, filaments and sunspots should be a marvelous sight.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for observing tips and links to live webcasts.

BONUS: Two days ago, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
photographed a comet plunging into the sun. See the movie at
http://spaceweather.com.

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