The Transit of Venus and Scientific Discoveries

10:00

Unless you expect to live until Dec. 10, 2117, the last time you’ll be alive when the planet Venus passes directly between the sun and the earth is this afternoon. It’s an event that occurs just a couple times every century and no matter how big of a deal, you better be prepared with the proper solar glasses, or it won’t be safe to view with the naked eye. On this hour of "All Sides," we’ll hear from the author of a new book about the history of the science of the transit of Venus, and we’ll talk with an OSU astronomer about local programs for those who want to view the spectacle.

Guests

• Mark Anderson (science journalist and author
• Richard Pogge (Professor, astronomy, The Ohio State University)

Event

The OSU Astronomy Department will be holding a public program to observe the Transit of Venus across the Sun on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, from 5:00-11:00pm on the OSU Main Campus in Columbus Ohio.  We will be holding a number of activities to mark this rare event, including transit observing with specially equipped solar telescopes for safe viewing, public talks, and a post-transit star party to observe planets and star clusters in the spring sky. Click here for more information.

Read More

Click here for more information on "The Day the World Discovered the Sun: An Extraordinary Story of Scientific Adventure and the Race to Track the Transit of Venus" by Mark Anderson.