Catch A Rare Sight: Transit Of Mercury
Khairunnisa Ibrahim

Bandar Seri Begawan - Planet Mercury will make a transit across the sun early tomorrow morning, and astronomy enthusiasts in the country can join a gathering at the Tungku beach to .witness the rare phenomenon.

The meet, organised by the Astronomy Unit of the Brunei Survey Department, will start at 6am and is expected to last until the planet exits the solar disk at about 8.10am.

A Mercury transit occurs when the planet comes between the sun and the earth, and Mercury is seen as a small black spot moving across the diameter of the sun.

The transit, which actually begins with the entry of Mercury into the solar disk at around 3.12am, will only be visible locally after sunrise at 6.06am.

The astronomical event can occur in early May or November. Transits in 'November occur every seven, 13 or 33 years, while May ones only occur at intervals of 13 to 33 years.

The two previous transits occurred in May 1999 and November 2003. The next one, in May 2016, will not be visible from Brunei and skygazers in the country will have to wait until November 2032 to witness the phenomenon again.

Observers of tomorrow's transit can expect to experience a rare sight. If the weather permits, sky watchers will actually be able to see Mercury in motion, with changes in its positions detectable within a few' minutes.

The movement of planets is usually subtle, requiring at least several observations and extended periods before a slight change is registered.

The transit, which features Mercury as a small dark spot against the the fiery backdrop of the sun, also provides a stunning visual spectacle. It will also highlight just how small Mercury is in relation to the sun.

Its diameter of 4,880 km is miniscule comparedto the sun's 1,392,000 km, which means that the solar system's smallest planet covers only 0.06 per cent of the sun's surface.

The Astronomy Unit advises interested members of the public to take the necessary care to avoid eye damage while viewing the transit.

It will also provide a projection of the transit on a screen, as it is difficult and dangerous to watch the transit with the naked eye.

The organiser of the event will also provide viewing instruments equipped with solar filters for safe public viewing. Viewers in the region will only catch the end tail of the transit after the sun rises, while those in North and South America will view the start of the transit before the sun sets in that part of the world.

The entire transit will be visible over most of the Pacific Ocean, southern Alaska and along the west coast of the United States. The transit will not be visible in Europe, Africa, western Asia, the Middle East, and India. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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