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Community Corner

When is the Next Solar Eclipse? Transit of Venus Comes First

We'll have to wait more than five years to see a total solar eclipse from North America. But don't throw away your pinhole projectors! A much rarer celestial event is coming up soon: the Transit of Venus, June 5.

 

If whetted your appetite for observing the sun engulfed in darkness during daylight hours, mark your calendar and take a patience pill: The next total solar eclipse visible from North America isn't until August 21, 2017.

But in just two weeks, on the evening of June 5, you may be able to observe one of the rarest planetary alignments known to astronomy: The Transit of Venus, which will not take place again until 2117.

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The transit occurs when Venus passes directly between Earth and the sun, appearing as "a small dot gliding slowly across the face of the sun," according to the TransitofVenus.org website.  

To witness the transit, which will be visible in north America throughout the day until sunset June 5, make sure you've got a clear western horizon and just as with the solar eclipse, do not look directly at the sun.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A pinhole projector or other safety device will allow you to observe this historic event, which TransitofVenus.org says was used by astronomers to measure the size of the solar system.

The website includes tips for safe viewing and links to more information about the Transit of Venus, including a NASA map also available on the NASA Eclipse Website.

The Transit of Venus will also be streamed online; watch Napa Patch in early June for updates.

For more information on creating a pinhole projector, please see "." To see people using pinhole projectors May 20, and photos they captured, please turn to "."

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