Many in the Foothills were looking to the heavens yesterday not only to remember veterans, but also to catch a glimpse of the transit of Mercury across the Sun.

The celestial phenomenon, is when Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system, is visible from Earth as it crosses between Earth and the Sun in orbit.

Local Astronomer James Durbano took a few photos of the event, and says while Mercury passes between Earth and the Sun every 116 days, things have to be perfect to see a Transit of Mercury.

Photo courtesy James Durbano

"For a Transit of Mercury to occur the orbital planes of Earth and Mercury have to be lined up just right, with respect to the Sun, and this can only occur in May and November." Durbano adds "Most of the time, Mercury will pass a little bit above the Sun or below the Sun, as viewed from here on Earth."

Durbano says it's also possible to also watch Venus transit across the sun, but that's not expected for a long time.

"The only planets that can pass in front of the Sun, as seen from here on Earth, are Mercury and Venus because they are the only ones that orbit closer to the Sun than we do. The last Transit of Venus occurred on June 5, 2012 and the next one will occur on December 10, 2117."

The last Transit of Mercury took place in May of 2016, and the next one won't happen again until November 13, 2032.

 

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