Transit of Venus 2012: An Observer's Guide (Gallery)

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By Space.com Staff
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Venus Transit 2012 Contact Viewing Times

Starry Night Software

This chart shows the times of "contact" between Venus and the sun during the transit of Venus for major cities on June 5, 2012.

Transitofvenus.nl Website for Venus Transit Times

ESA

This example of the tool at transitofvenus.nl, is set for observing conditions from Svalbard, where ESA will be reporting live during the transit.

Transit of Venus 2012 Diagram

F. Espenak, NASA GSFC

This diagram shows the predicted path of Venus across the sun's face on June 5-6, 2012.

Venus Transit 2012 Global Visibility Map

F. Espenak, NASA GSFC

The map shows the global visibility of the Transit of Venus of June 5-6, 2012.

Transit of Venus 2012 Phases Diagram

Michael Zeiler, eclipse-maps.com (via ESA)

Key phases during a transit of a planet across the face of the Sun are often referred to as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th contact. [See our Transit of Venus 2012: Complete Coverage Special Report.]

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
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