Stargazers gather at UC Riverside to watch Mercury cross the sun — for the last time until 2032

By Ryan Hagen | The Press-Enterprise |

THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE - The 5-year-old children peering into telescopes at UC Riverside watched something Monday, Nov. 11, that they won’t see again until they’re at least 18.

From Earth, the planet Mercury appeared to pass directly in front of the sun for several hours — beginning before sunrise and ending at 10:14 a.m. — for the last time until 2032. And the next transit, as it’s known, won’t be visible from North America until 2049, according to NASA.

Adults, young children and university students looked through telescopes and solar filters that prevented damage to their eyes that would otherwise come from looking directly at the sun. UCR (Astronomy club) set up the equipment on a softball field and allowed the public to view the transit and learn a bit of astronomy.

READ THE article

 

Let us help you with your search