10 June 2012
Fig. 1
Venus transit by the Hinode spacecraft
The image shows the silhouetted planet Venus seen crossing the limb of the Sun.
It was acquired by the Hinode spacecraft, a space solar observatory.
Credit: JAXA/NASA/Lockheed Martin
On 6 June 2012, Venus, Earth’s Sister Planet, passed in front of the Sun. This is a very rare astronomical phenomenon, known as the transit of Venus. While astronomers and Skywatchers, around the world, were observing the event, sophisticated spacecrafts, operating in various orbits, acquired spectacular views of the magnificent cosmic wonder.
The US space agency, NASA, has published, on its website, an intriguing online gallery featuring spacecraft images of the Venus transit. The gallery can be visited through the following link:
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/venus_images.html
References:
NASA
www.nasa.gov/
Further Reading:
Earth’s Twin Planet Amazes Skywatchers
http://www.bibalex.org/en/PSC/Home/NewsDetail.aspx?lang=en&Find=642
Rare Celestial Wonder: Venus Passes in front of the Sun!
http://www.bibalex.org/en/PSC/Home/NewsDetail.aspx?lang=en&Find=633
Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist