Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

It will be more than 100 years before anyone can see Venus transit in front of the sun, and West Virginia Wesleyan is hosting a free and open to the public event to mark the occasion beginning at 5:30 p.m., June 5 on the Wesleyan campus green, located in front of Wesley Chapel.

The transit will be visible shortly after 6 p.m. through telescopes setup in the green space. In the event of inclement weather, participants will be able to see the transit live via webcast in the Hyma Auditorium, located on the first floor of the Christopher Hall of Science.

A transit of Venus occurs when Venus passes directly between the sun and earth.  This alignment is rare, and occurs in pairs that are eight years apart, but separated by more than a century.  The last transit of Venus occurred in 2004, and will not happen again until 2117.

In addition to being able to view the Transit, the first 100 participants will receive free solar viewing glasses. Also, there will be free planetarium shows throughout the evening, and weather permitting, guests will be able to participate in a free telescope viewing of Mars and Saturn after sunset.

For the public to better understand the Transit of Venus and its significance, Wesleyan will host two programs, “When Venus Transits the Sun” at 8 p.m. on May 26 and June 2 in the planetarium, located in the Christopher Hall of Science.  These shows are $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, and no charge for children younger than 18 when accompanied by an adult. Reservations are not required; however, seating is limited to the first 40 participants.

In addition to the events to mark the Venus Transit, there will be other Planetarium Sky Shows during May and June.

On May 19, the sky show will feature “The Magic School Bus: Sees Stars,” an episode in which the class blasts off to inspect stars. On June 16, the show will be “Tour of the Moon,” giving guests a view of new and unprecedented footage of the moon’s surface and insight into the reasons behind its appearance. Each show begins at 8 p.m. in the planetarium and will last approximately one hour. Admission to the shows are $3 for adults, students and seniors $2, and no charge for children younger than 18 when accompanied by an adult. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.  Weather permitting, there will be telescope observing after the shows.

For more information about the Transit of Venus or other Planetarium Sky shows visit www.wvwc.edu/planetarium.