RASC Calgary Centre - Mercury Transit 2019

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

A Free Public Event:
The Transit of Mercury - November 11, 2019

Page last updated November 7, 2019

If the weather is clear, watch this early morning astronomical event
when Mercury crosses the face of the Sun
with the Calgary RASC!


Transit of Mercury timing diagram based on an image by Fred Espenak (NASA's "Mr. Eclipse").
http://www.eclipsewise.com/oh/tm2019.html



Warning! Observing the sun can permanently damage your eyes, therefore extreme caution
and only specialized solar observing equipment should ever be used!



Members of the public are invited to view this astronomical event
early on November 11 at either: Ralph Klein Park or Nose Hill Park.


Date:November 11, 2019 (Remembrance Day)

Time:
From Sunrise 07:46 AM
to 11:04 AM


A moment of silence will be observed at 11:11 AM to remember
those that perished in wars protecting our country and our freedom.
Note:Weather permitting. A clear sky is needed to see this event.
If it is totally clouded over or snowing the transit will not be visible.
Admission:Free. (Donations graciously accepted)
Parking:Free.
Note:Dress warmly - it is liable to be a cold winter morning, and
No food or drinks will be provided at this RASC event.
Note:Do not bring your own binoculars or telescope!
Only very specially filtered telescopes can be used to safely observe the Sun.
Using unfiltered binoculars or a telescope can instantly blind you!



Ralph Klein Park Event in S.E. Calgary
(see map below)
NOTE: The Ralph Klein Visitor Centre building will be CLOSED on Nov 11. The Main Gate will be open at 05 AM and there will be washrooms available (see the map)

Nose Hill Park Event in N.E. Calgary
(see map below)
NOTE: There are no washrooms available at Nose Hill Park.

A portable toilet has been arranged for the event.


On Wednesday, November 11, 2019, a relatively rare astronomical event will be visible from portions of our planet. The event is called a Transit of Mercury and the last time this occurred was in 2016. A transit occurs when one of the inner planets (Mercury or Venus) appears to travel across the face of the sun. This is similar to a total solar eclipse by the Moon, the only difference is that a distant planet is passing in front of the sun and not our neighbour the Moon. Unless you have a telescope, you would not notice that a transit was occurring because there would be no appreciable change in the amount of sunlight reaching us here on earth.

Mercury will appear as a very tiny black dot following the path across the Sun's face as shown in the diagram above. However, the planet is so small that a specially equipped telescope is needed to see it.

Although a transit is widely visible, one still has to be situated on the portion of the earth that is daylight and most likely to have clear skies.

To observe this event, the Calgary Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) will be hosting two early morning observing sessions. These locations were chosen as they have an excellent opportunity to observe the Sun as it will be low in the south east at sunrise and in the south when the transit ends.

Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Calgary Centre are well trained in safe solar viewing methods and will be there with specially equipped telescopes to safely observe the Sun and the Transit.







Map to Ralph Klein Park

Map to Ralph Klein Park

Ralph Klein Park Parking Areas

Parking at Ralph Klein Park

Ralph Klein Park Telescope setup area

Ralph Klein Park Telescope setup area



Map to Nose Hill Park

Map to Nose Hill Park

Nose Hill Park Telescope setup area

Nose Hill Park Telescope setup area








Additional Information about Transits of Mercury

If you would like to learn more about this transit, go to Fred Espenak's web page:
http://www.eclipsewise.com/oh/tm2019.html

For the article and photos from the Mercury Transit on 2006 Nov 8 Click Here

For images of Transits of Mercury see: For other images of Mercury see: Frequency of Mercury Transits:

Seven Century Catalog of Mercury Transits: https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/transit/catalog/MercuryCatalog.html

1601 CE to 2300 CE - 94 Transits

31 in May (33%) - Descending Node
Sun=1902", Mercury=12" - Size ratio: M/S= 1/158

63 in November (67%) - Ascending Node
Sun=1937", Mercury=10" - Size ratio: M/S= 1/194



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