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A very rare event is due to occur this spring! Venus will pass directly between the Earth and Sun: For several hours, the planet will appear silhouetted against our daytime star. The next transit of Venus won't occur for another 105 years.

Explanation of the phenomenon and historical importance

Visibility of the June 2012 transit

• Local circumstances of the transit of Venus, in Québec and elsewhere in Canada

Observing the Transit of Venus

• Safe viewing methods
• Public observing sessions on June 5, 2012

More information about the Transit of Venus

The following websites are great starting points for more information on the transits of Venus:

Sites in English

• Transit of Venus dot org
• Predictions for the 2012 Transit of Venus (Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC)
• A "movie" of the 1882 Transit (Sky & Telescope Magazine)

Downloadable information bulletin, in French

• AstroInfo, édition spéciale Passage de Vénus 2012 (PDF, 5.4 MB)
  Information bulletin produced by the Fédération des astronomes amateurs du Québec.

Sites in French/Other languages

• Site national français de l'opération VT-2004/VT-2012 (Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides, Bureau des longitudes, Paris)

See the Transit of Venus live on the Web on June 5

• NASA (from Hawaii)
• Exploratorium (from Hawaii)

Contest (enter between June 5 and 11, 2012)

Read the Rules and Regulations
The entry period has closed; see the list of winners.