Get Ready!
Transit of Venus Video
This short video from transitofvenus.org takes you through a short history of the Transit of Venus, and ties its importance today to the search for planets orbiting other stars.
Observe the Sun Safely!
There are many simple ways to observe the Sun safely. Check out our guide so you can join in the fun!
Transit History
This is only the seventh Transit of Venus to be observed in recorded history. Learn about the history of past events, including how observations in the 1760s helped measure the size of our solar system.
Transit Science
Discover the science and mathematics of the Sun, the Transit, and the mysterious "Black Drop Effect."
When and Where to Watch
Where do you have to be to watch the Transit? When does it start? And most importantly, what if it's cloudy?
August 21, 2017
Total Solar EclipseLearning how to observe the Sun safely for the Transit is great practice for the total solar eclipse that will be visible from Nashville in 2017!
On June 5, 2012, starting at 5:04 pm in Nashville, the planet Venus will begin to pass across the face of the Sun as seen from Earth. This is called a Transit of Venus, and will not happen again until 2117.
Venus regularly passes between the Earth and the Sun, but most times it passes slightly above or below the Sun as seen from Earth. But on June 5, 2012, Venus will appear as a tiny black dot slowly moving directly across the face of the Sun.
The Transit of Venus takes about six hours to complete in full, but from Nashville the Sun will set about halfway through.
June 2, 2012 is Astronomy Day at Adventure Science Center. From 10 am to 4 pm, visitors will discover how to safely observe the Sun, prepare for the Transit of Venus, view sunspots and participate in indoor and outdoor astronomical activities.
On June 5, 2012 you are invited to observe the Sun and the Transit of Venus at the Adventure Science Center from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. There will be indoor and outdoor activities, transit simulations in the Sudekum Planetarium, and Subway will be here so you can enjoy a delicious dinner along with your astronomy.
Outdoor activities - both days, weather permitting
- Learn many ways to observe the Sun safely
- Check the time by becoming a human sundial
- Play with shadows and see how they change as the Sun moves through the sky
Indoor activities - both days
- Learn what the Transit of Venus is and how to observe it during our SciBites presentation
- Delve into the scientific importance, history, and modern relevance of the Transit of Venus during our Transit Talk. Discover how 18th century sailing expeditions to view the Transit of Venus helped determine the size of our Solar System.
- Break light into a spectrum of colors.
- See yourself and some common objects in a new light at the IR wall.
- Test light blockers using beads that react to ultraviolet light.
- Build your own sundial.
- Enter to win door prizes such as a telescope or magazine subscription, courtesy of Astronomy Magazine and Celestron Telescopes.
Even if it turns out to be cloudy on June 5, we'll still have activities at Adventure Science Center to teach about the Transit and how to observe the Sun safely any day, and will be watching the Transit webcast live from Hawaii. Once you’ve learned how to safely observe the Sun, you’ll be ready for the total solar eclipse which will pass directly through Nashville on August 21, 2017.
