Transit of Mercury 2006: Tips for Capturing Photos | Physics Forums Blog

  • Thread starter Thread starter robphy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mercury Transit
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the 2006 transit of Mercury, focusing on participants' plans for observing and photographing the event, as well as sharing experiences and outcomes from various locations. The scope includes observational techniques, local arrangements for viewing, and personal reflections on the event.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express interest in photographing the transit and inquire about others' plans.
  • One participant suggests measuring the transit to recalculate the size of the solar system.
  • A participant mentions a local astronomy department setting up telescopes for public viewing, although weather conditions may affect visibility.
  • Multiple participants express concern about weather conditions impacting their ability to view the transit, with some reporting heavy rain and clouds.
  • Observations from San Francisco indicate a successful viewing session despite initial poor weather, with many attendees experiencing the event.
  • Another participant shares their experience of viewing the transit in Singapore, noting favorable conditions and sunspots visible during the event.
  • One participant shares a link to a live stream of the transit, while another provides links to photos taken during the event.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share their experiences and plans, but there is no consensus on the visibility of the transit due to varying weather conditions across different locations. Some report successful observations while others express disappointment over missed opportunities.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences are highly dependent on local weather conditions, which vary significantly across different geographical locations. There are also differing levels of enthusiasm and satisfaction regarding the event's visibility and significance.

Who May Find This Useful

Astronomy enthusiasts, photographers interested in celestial events, and individuals curious about public viewing opportunities for astronomical phenomena may find this discussion relevant.

robphy
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
7,397
Reaction score
2,925
https://www.physicsforums.com/blog/2006/11/06/transit-of-mercury-2006/

Anyone planning to take pictures?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
..or planning to measure it and recalculate the size of the solar system?
 
For anyone in San Francisco, San Francisco State University's Astronomy department will be setting up telescopes, including ahydrogen-alpha Coronodo for the event. Looks like it may be foggy though.
 
Woah! I hope not to miss it! Can we see it in Quebec?
 
I was actually thinking of taking a telescope to work with me tomorrow. Fortunately, :rolleyes: heavy rain is going to keep me from getting fired... :frown:
 
DaxInvader said:
Woah! I hope not to miss it! Can we see it in Quebec?
As long as you can see the sun... It starts at about 2:15 in the afternoon (EST) and ends at 7:00.
 
Thank you.. alltrought.. let's see if I can repair my telescope.. They won't like seeing my telescope at school tommorow. So i'll try tonight :P
 
It's underway. Mercury is very near a large sunspot. Compared to the sunspot, Mercury looks very small, very dark, and very round.
 
BOOOH ITS CLOUDY! CAN'T SEE IT! :( maybe if get on my roof top and get my telescope over the clouds...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
A very successful observation session from San Francisco State University campus! A rainy night and cloudy morning turned to bright Sun just in time for the transit. Not a cloud would be seen for the rest of the day.

I watched the first 45 minutes from home, then brought my telescope down to campus to join three other telescopes set up there. There were hundreds (someone said 1500) people over the course of the 5 hour transit who got a chance to see Mercury's sillouhette on the face of Sol.
Some were disappointed: "Oh, that's all?". Others: "Wow! that's so cool!"

Mercury entered Sol's disk near a large sunspot that is probably 3 times larger than Earth. Mercury's small disk marched across the face of the Sun over the next 5 hours, passing near two small sunspots before leaving the solar disk.
 
  • #12
Here in Singapore we get to view it after sunrise today, from about 7am to 8.10am. Nice view. :approve: A big sunspot is on the other hemisphere of the Sun, a few smaller ones are near to Mercury.
 
  • #13
Missed it all... CLOUDY! and rainy...
 
  • #14
In Arizona it was great.

For photo see:

http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UANews.woa/wa/MainStoryDetails?ArticleID=13313

and for a great picture taken by the SOHO spacecraft :

http://www.tucsonastronomy.org/PDF/Newsletter_Archive/TAAA_Newsletter_200611.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

High School Layman question on sun as seen from mercury
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Graduate Transition dipole -- Line shape function
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Methods for capturing a Fabry-Perot Interference Pattern
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
TabletPCs for Science and Science Teaching [blog entry from 2006]
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Graduate Photo Contest - Physics+Maths (12/23-1/5, win a book)
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
New Photo Forum: Discuss Tips, Techniques & Photos!
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Studying Anyone who struggled to understand E&M at first, any tips?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Programs What Are the Best Medical Physics Programs for Your Career Path?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Undergrad How did I capture these intriguing feedback loop photos?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Undergrad Progress In Calculating The HLbL Contribution To Muon g-2
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K