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I've seen Uranus! An Neptune through my own scope but I've never seen this elusive planet. It can be viewed with the naked eye but it's always too low down from my viewing perspective for me to pick it up.
Well tomorrow just after Noon, Mercury will cross the Sun and take around 8 hours to get to the other side. This is a rare event, it happens only roughly 13 times a century and the next occurrence will be in 2019. The reason it's only viewable is because besides an elliptical orbit al the planets have a tilted orbit an it's only when these orbits intersect when we align with the Sun with Venus and Mercury.
Don't however look at the Sun with the naked eye. You will hurt your eyesight and it will take time to heal itself. The way to view this is to take 2 pieces of paper an put a pinhole in one. Project the Sun's image onto the other and look closely for a tiny black dot. There may be other black dots (sunspots) that confuse it but it should be just about visible.
BTW the scale of the Universe was made by these transits. If you put your index at arms length and blink each each alternatively you will see things in the back ground from different perspectives. The same thing happened with the transit of Venus
Rather than try and explain it myself a C/P is easier
http://blogs.esa.int/venustransit/2012/05/30/measuring-the-size-of-the-solar-system-parallax/
Well tomorrow just after Noon, Mercury will cross the Sun and take around 8 hours to get to the other side. This is a rare event, it happens only roughly 13 times a century and the next occurrence will be in 2019. The reason it's only viewable is because besides an elliptical orbit al the planets have a tilted orbit an it's only when these orbits intersect when we align with the Sun with Venus and Mercury.
Don't however look at the Sun with the naked eye. You will hurt your eyesight and it will take time to heal itself. The way to view this is to take 2 pieces of paper an put a pinhole in one. Project the Sun's image onto the other and look closely for a tiny black dot. There may be other black dots (sunspots) that confuse it but it should be just about visible.
BTW the scale of the Universe was made by these transits. If you put your index at arms length and blink each each alternatively you will see things in the back ground from different perspectives. The same thing happened with the transit of Venus
Rather than try and explain it myself a C/P is easier
http://blogs.esa.int/venustransit/2012/05/30/measuring-the-size-of-the-solar-system-parallax/
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Fascinating stuff Ovalman - I read about it today in Earthsky's daily email. You probably know about it but here's the link.
http://earthsky.org/?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=2fe94d74a0-EarthSky_News&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-2fe94d74a0-394664929 I'll have my pin and paper ready at noon - cheers. |
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Thanks to your link Crystal there's a live stream starting in 50 minutes, much safer than trying it on your own
http://www.virtualtelescope.eu/webtv/ |
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Bit dodgy with the weather here. Been cloudy all morning with the odd break, but forecast is not great.
I'll be happy if I just get a glimpse, any sort of photo would be a bonus. |
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I was unsuccessful with my 15 x 70 bins and my telescope. Even though I was told not to, I drilled a 10mm hole in my telescope's lens cap. I was able to project the Sun's disk with both my scope and bins but I wasn't able to pick up the elusive planet
 It was also almost impossible to get a picture, keep it in focus, holding the cardboard and trying to snap with my phone. Gloriously clear here as well http://i67.tinypic.com/2rq0opw.jpg |
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I've got one of these
. http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p3288_SolarScope-standard-for-riskless-solar-observation-in-groups.html Had a couple of breaks for literally a few seconds, just enough to make it out. I was also ready with some solar film on a camera lens, but no way is that going to work today Looks like rain on the way now  |
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Clouded over here but still very warm. I really should have bought a Solar Filter for my telescope, it only costs about £10 for a DIY job. I've known about this transit since the start of the year and still didn't prepare for it.
That looks a handy little device. I found when trying to project the image the contrast was hard to make out. That certainly does the job. I've one of these scopes: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-22096-Computerised-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B0007UQNN6 Great goto telescope but I'm very light polluted and don't get full use out of it. I prefer getting my binoculars out for a quick session. |
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I thought i wasted my life watching TV? Thank the lord I never bought a telescope. At least with tv you stay indoors and keep warm. Watching a huge blackness, that moves at the rate of 0mph? Get some DVD's in.
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It's a fine hobby.
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it's a fine hobby if your neighbour across the way is Pamela Anderson.
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I'd rather spend my time doing anything than sitting in front of a tv.
I play poker to augment my income hence why I'm on here but if I didn't I think I could get into a hobby like this. |
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Zorro
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I like watching TV. Very choosy what I watch tho'.
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Didn't realise you were a serious poker player, Aka.
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Ovalman - I could hardly see the sun dot on the paper never mind Mercury. I'm interested in getting a telescope so thanks for the link. My Binoculars are mainly for sport or bird watching. Dying to see Jupiter's moons and more stars like you see on the wildlife programs
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From a very young age I remember looking up and noticing Orion, I was always fascinated with the subject, then Carl Sagan's Cosmos came out and I was hooked for life. If they showed that series to every schoolchild then I know the World would be a better place.
I'm more of an armchair observer. I rarely go out with my scope or binoculars, today was an exception but I'll maybe go out later and have another peek. I certainly don't like being out in the cold either Zorro. I listen to a lot of podcasts a lot of which are Astronomy related. I've quite a few interests, astronomy, growing veg, brewing, poker, programming, local football. I'm kept busy but most of it doesn't take up much of my time. Crystal, I use my binoculars far more than my scope. If you are considering buying one, be sure you'll use it. I know I certainly don't use my scope enough. Saying that, optics have greatly improved, apertures got a lot bigger and prices have dropped dramatically. You can pick up something quality for a low price. |
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Thanks for this thread, Ovalman
 I live by the sea and the night sky is the clearest I have seen in my life. I often go out onto my balcony late at night on a clear night to see the stars. Coming from greater london it has been a revelation. So, this thread has given me the idea of going into the 'the sky at night' hobby. I probably will not get around to it at the moment, but it is a lovely idea for me. I live on the second floor and have two balconies overlooking a private park, so it might be conducive to watching, what do you think? |
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Just reading my post and I must clarify and say the sky is the clearest sky that I have had at home and not on some holiday.
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The sky constantly changes throughout the year so even if you can look in one direction I'm sure you can find something. I've a dirty great streetlamp out my back although fortunately I'm South facing and I can see all the planets.
If you've an Android phone download the heavens-above app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heavens_above.viewer This will tell you when the International Space station is viewable but also other satellites and Iridium Flares (satellites that catch the Sun's rays and flash in the sky) It's easier now than ever to get into the hobby, all that is needed is your naked eye. |
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Thanks, Ovalman, I will try to get a kind of teach yourself 'sky at night ' book.
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Annie - sounds like you're in a perfect spot to see plenty of the heavens with the naked eye. God knows what you would see with good binoculars or a scope. I use the Google-sky app on my phone. Just point the phone at the sky and the app tells you what you are looking at. People are amazed when I point out the planets and prominent stats.
The link I put up earlier is to Earthsky which is an online magazine which sends you an email everyday with loads of fascinating stuff about the cosmos and the world in general. It's free and relies on donations to keep going. |
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This is the link
http://earthsky.org/?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=2fe94d74a0-EarthSky_News&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-2fe94d74a0-394664929 |
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Thanks, crystalhunt, I have just subscribed to the online magazine.
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There was an "Offician" chit-chat astronomy thread sometime back. Maybe worth bringing back if there is sufficient interest.
The next month or so is a good for viewing Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. |
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I think that it was mercury that smashed into our planet many many years ago and that is how we got our moon.
but nobody agrees with me,but its a good idea as what the scientists say.  |