Planet Venus will have its date with the sun on June 6. The inferior planet (called that as it is closer to the sun), will be seen to move stealthily across the disk of the rising sun. Called a transit, this is a rare astronomical event. A transit of Venus occurs, when Venus passes directly …
The next Venus transit will happen only in 2117 If the subject of astronomy interests you, here is a unique celestial treat you may not want to miss. Astronomers worldwide are gearing up to view a rare event occurring in the solar system. There will a significant alignment of planets (Earth and Venus) with the …
Venus, which is in its crescent phase now, will be at its new moon phase as days progress, and make its transit across the sun on June 6. The transits of Venus are key to understanding the complex motion of planets around the sun and also help determine the size of the entire solar system …
Tracking the celestial transit – the do’s and dont’s Read More »
A large number of people had gathered at the PWD Guest House campus, Kanyakumari, on Friday, to witness the annular eclipse, a rare celestial event. Well ahead of the spectacle, seven telescopes and sun spotters were readily positioned. Solar filters were fitted in to the special Celestron telescope, which has an aperture of 8 inches, …
Astronomers, researchers and commoners rejoice alike the rare annular eclipse Read More »
The eclipse which will occur on May 21 will be an annular one and will last only for a few minutes The first Solar eclipse of this year will occur on May 21. It will be an annular solar eclipse which will last only for a few minutes. In India, the event will be visible …
The 45th Planetarium Programme — Two Small Pieces of Glass — was launched at the B.M. Birla Planetarium, Periyar Science and Technology Centre, on March 31. Dr. M.P. Pillai, Director, National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Chennai, inaugurated the 35-minute full dome show which gave a wide description about the history and development of …
Instilling knowledge about observational astronomy Read More »
A rare astronomical event — transit of planet Venus — will occur on June 6. In Chennai the event can be seen from sunrise till 10.22 a.m. During the transit, Venus can be seen from Earth as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun. The planet will actually pass directly between …
Armed with solar viewers, crowds gathered well before sunlight to witness rare phenomenon At the B. M. Birla Planetarium in Guindy, telescopes fitted with solar filters, sun spotters and projectors were stationed at their positions as early as 5 a.m. on Wednesday to receive the celestial guest. Astronomy enthusiasts, teachers and students waited with bated …
Planet Jupiter will come close to the Earth on Monday. It will appear to rise at sunset and set at sunrise. As it will be fully illuminated by the Sun, it is an advantageous time to observe the planet. According to P. Iyamperumal, executive director, B.M. Birla Planetarium, the planet will be in opposition to …
Mars, the red planet, is ready for an outstanding performance this month. Over the past few days, it has been approaching Earth and growing in apparent size. Originally written for The Hindu, read more at https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/look-out-for-the-red-planet-tomorrow/article5884172.ece