Here is the last chance!! Don`t miss this chance to see the solar system`s smallest planet, Mercury until the year 2019. Viewers can see the planet as it passes in front of the sun from 7:30 a.m. till 10:42 a.m.
The free views of our solar system smallest planet through some specially equipped telescopes is offered b scientists from UCLA`s Institute for Planet and Exoplanets on May 9th that on coming Monday.
Between Earth and the Sun, is about 52 million miles away is planet Mercury. This planet is referred as a transit. Mercury is visible as small as black disc crossing the sun with around 3,000 miles in diameter, which is 8,65,000 miles in diameter.
The transit will begin before sunrise and will end by 10:42 a.m. for the viewers in California. UCLA telescopes will be stationed next to Shapiro fountain from 7:30 a.m. until the transit ends at Royce Hall and Powell Library.
When To Watch In India?
In Delhi, the event can be seen for a duration of about 2 hours 20 minutes as it will start at 4.41 PM and sunset will take place at 7.01 PM. Similarly, in Kolkata the event will start at 4.41 PM and it can be seen for a duration of about 1 hour 26 minutes.
In Mumbai the event will start at 4.41 PM and it can be seen for a duration of about 2 hours 24 minutes, while in Chennai the event will start at 4.41 PM and it can be seen for a duration of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to watch the rare celestial event?
Mercury being tiny would be difficult to recognise it. Hence, you’ll need a magnification tool – binocular or telescope to spot the transit.
But be safe! It is very dangerous to observe the Sun through any unfiltered optical system (lenses, binoculars, telescopes) and your bare eyes. This may cause serious eye damage and even blindness. You can also view the Sun and Mercury using good quality eclipse goggles and pinhole camera.
2016 Mercury Transit Path:
Live telecast:
A live feed of the Mercury transit will be on Nasa TV and as well as the space agency’s Facebook page.
>>> Watch Mercury Transit LIVE On NASA TV here
The next chance to see this planet in transit is expected to be on November 11th, 2019 said the UCLA astrophysicist David Jewitt. Also, the upcoming transit will be one of just 14 in this century. People who try to see this with or without the aid of telescope could cause permanent blindness unless proper protection is not used told the astrophysicist Jewitt.