This gallery shows images of the preparation and observation of the transit of Venus on June 5, 2012. This is only the seventh time in history that man could see this event!
This composite image shows the apparent angular size of the Moon and Venus 12 days before Venus passed in front of the Sun. In this image the Moon is just slightly smaller than the angular size of the Sun. The image of Venus added in the middle of the Moon is at the same magnification so you can see the relative angular size of the two celestial objects. The enlarged insert in the upper left shows the atmospheric refraction effects on Venus (about 15 degrees above the horizon) that produce a red rim at the bottom and a blue-green rim at the top. This effect is more pronounced the closer the object gets to the horizon.
This composite image shows the apparent angular size of the Moon and Venus 12 days before Venus passed in front of the Sun. In this image the Moon is just slightly smaller than the angular size of the Sun. The image of Venus added in the middle of the Moon is at the same magnification so you can see the relative angular size of the two celestial objects. The enlarged insert in the upper left shows the atmospheric refraction effects on Venus (about 15 degrees above the horizon) that produce a red rim at the bottom and a blue-green rim at the top. This effect is more pronounced the closer the object gets to the horizon.