Transit of Mercury on May 9th

[Dark Helmet]

Unfortunately the predicted weather pattern in early May looks wetter.

I hope this secondary front moving-in after todays rain does not get "stuck" over us for a week. That would be a bummer! The High Pressure is now north of us over Greenland creating a blocking patten in the atmosphere.

Did anyone happen to buy any new equipment lately.....shame on you

[Dark Helmet]

I just checked the forecast on wunderground, and it has Monday perfectly clear. We'll see.

Hi Bill,

I never beleive a weather forecast more than three days out. Hopefully, the day will be cloud free for observers of the transit. The temperature will definitely go up as the week goes on ,espeically headed into the weekend. This concerns me becuase the 32 degree (freezing point) is at a lower than normal elevation this time of year approx. 6500 feet. Warm air rises, meets cold air aloft, and we are screwed with clouds. I will make my call on Friday on a go/no go for the transit.

Matt

[Dark Helmet]

Bill, Paul, or anybody else,

I forgot to ask, is ASSNE doing so type of group observing of the transit somewhere or are folks going solo on his one.

[Pete]

Starting at 7:12 AM and ending at 2:42 PM, this is pretty much a day long event. I'm shooting from the hip, but it seems that our last 2 Venus transits lasted for around 2 hours and Mercury is going to take around 7. Sort of like watching grass grow. So perhaps most won't want to watch the full transit. That's why I'm so glad that I can work it from home, hopefully taking a stack of white light images every 1/2 hour or so. I will be sending out a blanket invitation and look for a few brief drop-ins from both ASSNE and neighbors.

Pete

[AndyG]

I'm sure some of you got some much better pictures than these, but here are a few I got from holding my cell phone up to the EP:





3d contact:

[Apollo XX]

It was a topsy-turvy day frustration-wise. My effort eventually worked out good; viewtopic.php?f=85&t=5053

[DonB]

Yes, the day started cloudy but cleared up quick. The clouds were still frustrating. But I was able to get some images using a Celestron 8 and overall it was a very fun day.

First image is at prime focus.



And the second was using 10mm eyepiece projection.



Lots of fun today.

Don

[mrgizmo65]

Just for the fun of it I set up a 4 inch refractor with a solar filter and and managed to get some peeks at the event . It was just enough with the clouds to keep my interest. but I'm glad I gave it the time to watch . It was a pretty good day. Don and Mike nice images with mercury crossing the sun like that it gives a good idea just how big the sun is and how tiny the planet is. Thanks for sharing the images

[Paul D]

What can I say but what a spectacular day. I was shocked at how well my PST showed Mercury. I love when a plan comes together and today it all fell into place well.