The observatory at the Sechelt Airport we will be open to view the solar transit of the planet Mercury at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, May 9, the Sunshine Coast Chapter (SCC) of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has announced.
“The planet Mercury passes between the face of the Sun and Earth only 14 times per century, and this is one of those events,” the SCC said in a release. “When the sun rises at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, May 9, the transit will already be in progress (having started about 4:12 a.m.). The transit will end at 11:42 a.m. We’ll have the SCC Observatory open for public viewing that morning (weather permitting) with our solar scopes for safe viewing.”
The chapter warns not to attempt solar viewing without the proper equipment and filters, as attempting to view the sun with a telescope or binoculars that are not properly equipped can result in permanent eye damage.
Admission is free with donations gratefully accepted at the door.
See the Sunshine Coast RASC site at www.coastastronomy.ca for contact and schedule information.
