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Lincoln (Neb.) - Nov. 12, 1999 - Monday afternoon, visitors at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Observatory will have a rare view of the planet Mercury which will be going directly in front of the sun.
From 3:15 to 4 p.m., if weather permits, an image of the sun will be projected on a screen at the observatory for safe viewing. Observers are reminded to never look directly at the sun during a solar event.
"The most important thing is not to try to look at the sun with your eyes," said NU astronomer Martin Gaskell. "You should never try to look at the sun through a telescope or any optical device. Instant blindness can result."
The planet mercury is the closest planet to the sun, but because its orbit is tilted, passage directly in front of the sun - a "transit" - is rare. The last time such a transit was visible from Nebraska was 1973. During Monday's transit, Mercury will be visible on the screen as a tiny black dot near the edge of the sun. Solar activity is currently increasing so several sunspots will also probably be visible.
"A transit of Mercury really helps one appreciate how small the planets are compared with the sun," Gaskell said.
The university's student observatory is located atop the parking garage across from Memorial Stadium, on the corner of T Street and Stadium Boulevard. The observatory will not be open if the sky is completely overcast.
In addition to the event Monday, the observatory's open night this month is Friday, Nov. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. for viewing of the three biggest, brightest and most beautiful attractions of the night sky: the moon, Jupiter and Saturn.
If it is clear on the 19th, a bright gibbous moon will hang over the campus, and the UNL telescopes will give varied views of the many craters and lava flows. On Jupiter, cloud features on the planet will be visible, and its four Galilean moons. On Saturn, the beautiful rings are well placed for viewing this year, Gaskell said.
The next public night will be Friday, Dec. 17.
For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons@unlinfo.unl.ed u
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825