Planet Transit ****

This rare celestial phenomenon happens only by inside planets. These planets orbit the Sun in smaller distance than the Earth. The planet passes between the Sun and the Earth, that is why it projects on sun disc. This situation comes up if this planet is in down conjunction and at the same time in proximity up or down node. This takes several hours.

You could get a view of Mercury transit last year. It is more frequent and less interesting. This 8 June we had a unique opportunity. People saw something, what noone still alive could watch before us. The previous one took place on the 6th of December 1882!   This year was astronomic piquancy visible from Europe, Africa and Asia. Venus transit happens 2 times in quaver interval, which is repeated after 121,5 or 105,5 years. Venus comes through down node on the 7th of June and through up node on the 8th of December. The following transition will be in June 2012. We won´t be able to observe the beginning, because we will have to wait for sunrise. The next will be in far-away December of the year 2117 and 2125. The Mercury crossings happen just about 13 times during century. The Mercury goes through down node on the 7th of May and through the up node on the 9th of November. Next transit´ll take place on the 8th of November 2006. However, it won´t be observable from Czech republic. We must wait till the 9th of May 2016.

Venus transit 8. 6. 2004 - times for contacts (when Venus touches sun disc) are in CEST for 50°north latitude and 15°east altitude. This times are like for the whole Czech republic.

Venus transit 8. 6. 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

I. contact 7a.m. 19,8min
II. contact 7a.m. 39,4min
max. phase 10a.m. 22,2min
III. contact 13p.m. 3,7min
IV. contact 13p.m. 23,0min

Planets´ aspects- are meaningful planet positions in wiev of the Earth and the Sun. You can observe phases of Mercury and Venus, which are similar to lunar phases. However, they occupy too small of an area on the sky. We can´t see the phases only by eyes. You can use a common binocular.

  Planets´aspects

 
Inside planets (II.)
conjunction

A planet, the Earth and the Sun are in one line. In this position the planet is the closest to the Sun.  In a down conjunction  (VI.) we can see "a new planet" and in an up conjunction (II.) we can see "a full planet".

elongation

The planet is furthermost from the Sun. It seems to be as a waning or a waxing moon. In a west elongation (VII.) we  can see the planet in the mornings and in an east elongation (III.) in the evenings. The Venus is known as Vesper and Aurora.

Outside planets (I.)
conjunction The planet is not in a down conjunction because it orbits the Sun in larger distance than  the Earth. So we can see the full (I.) and no "new planet".
opponency The Earth (VIII.) is between the planet (IX.) and the Sun (V.). The planet is the closest to the Earth. It is the best period for watching.
quadrature It is interesting only geometrically (IV., X.).

                                                               

The node - orbit orb (e.g. planet) transects the ecliptic plane in this point. When orb gets out above ecliptic, it is up node. When orb go down under this plane, it is down node.                             

Ecliptic - is plane wherein Earth orbits the Sun. You see it by day on sky in the place, where you find Sun during year. Moon and planets are seen in its proximity at night, because planes wherin they orbit the Sun are slightly sloped from the ecliptic.

Mercury transit - the last one turned on the 7th of May 2003. The Mercury was sharply bounded roundel, because it hasn´t got an atmosphere. It looked 6 times smaller than Venus now. That is why you couldn´t see it without a telescope. Someone entwined it with a sun spot.
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