The Transit of Venus- June 5, 2012 (Ok, Kind of Late)

Venus Over the Face of the Sun
(Image Property of Socal Earth Science Blog)

"Black Drop Effect"
(Image Property of Socal Earth Science Blog)

 On June 5 and 6th, 2012, people around the world gazed at the sun through telescopes and binoculars equipped with solar filters, and watched the planet Venus move across the face of the sun for the last time until 2117.

I took a few pictures through my telescope. The second picture shows the "black drop effect".

transitofvenus.org states that:

"The strange "black drop" effect was a conundrum that fouled the observations of dedicated observers.  At the moment when Venus should nearly touch the edge of the sun, the circular planet appears to elongate."

For more information go to: transitofvenus.org