The Transit of Venus

June 6 2012
Suburbian Melbourne Primary School - one of the most satisfying days I ever had

After nearly a whole week of overcast and mostly rainy days, Wednesday 6 June 2012 dawned clear and bright.  Fantastic!

We made it to the school and set up in time to see Venus just complete its entry onto the disc of the Sun.

We were soon swamped by kids wondering what was going on,and the interest they showed was wonderful!

The rest of the morning went fast as a couple of the 5/6 grades and some 1/2 cycled through, listening with interest to my little blurb about the telescope (a 'reflector', bouncing light around), the history (Captain Cook in 1769), the significance (measuring the solar system), and how long it would be until this ever happened again.
The afternoon clouded over, but was patchy enough that we still managed to grab short views of the transition, right up to the end - when the clouds finally parted again at the last minute to let us see Venus move off the disc of the Sun.

My home made light box, allowing the projection of the Sun to be seen by the audience beside the scope.

Venus and sunspots were clearly visible.

Another shot of Venus and some sunspots.