Transit of Mercury May 9th 2016 - Safe Viewing Tips

On Monday May 9th, astronomers and observers from ireland will be able to witness the rare phenomenon that is a Transit of Mercury. Mercury will cross the solar disc from left to right in the image show here at the times presented:





It is important to always stress the need for safety when viewing the Sun. Instant blindness and pain would result in any attempt to view the Sun through an optical instrument meant for magnification.


Play it safe! Solar Filters
Only use proper solar viewing equipment, such as a certified or proper solar viewing filter used in conjunction with a telescope or binoculars. These filters are always placed in front of the objective before any magnification takes place. Sunglasses or welders glasses DO NOT count as filters, as the heat readily passes through, and only diminishes the intensity of the light by a fraction.

A safe filter can be made for direct viewing using Baader filter foil, and would appear on a telescope in an example like this?









Solar Projection
Another option is to use solar projection. By using the telescope or one side of a pair of binoculars, you can project the image of the Sun onto a large sheet of white card, paper, or board. Here is an image of my setup I use:



Please Note: the dust cap is on the finderscope (and in some cases it is better to have it completely removed).

I will add more on this in the coming days - feel free to add more information/tips/photos yourself!


Seanie.

Here's an animation that might help.

www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/transit/2016-may-9

Paul

I've been looking at a catalogue of transits over Ireland (specifically Limerick) and it appears that tomorrow week's event is the most favourable Mercury transit for the next 300 years!

The total duration of 7hrs 30 mins, all above the horizon, is only approached by that of the year 2049 (6h 41m) and the year 2266 (6h 35m).

My conclusion exactly, this is the easiest and most complete one were going to have in our lifetime as seen from Ireland.
Looking forward to it.

The forecast looks promising.

The further north the better the weather.

Aubrey.