Jaipur Science Park to give Live Experience of a Golden Astronomical Occurrence

Live Coverage of a Rare Astronomical Event at Science Park, Jaipur

Monday, May 9, 2016 Jaipur: Planet Mercury will be seen crossing over the Sun in form of a small dot from 4:42p.m. to 12:12a.m. Many arrangements have been made to allow people to see this rare astronomical occurrence in different parts of the country. It can be observed at different time intervals depending on your location.

Jaipurities including science students are pretty excited about it. Around 250 science students will observe it live at the Shastri Nagar located Science Park. They will also be given solar specs and telescope to observe the Mercury planet pass by the Sun. This event previously occurred in the year 2006 and after 10 long years, we can see it happening again.

Science Park will show the live coverage of the entire event happening in the solar system. Planet Mercury, which is the closest to the Sun, will be seen in front of the Sun when seen from Earth. It would appear like a small dot of 158:1 ratio on the Sun. All safety measures will be taken care of and the park will provide all necessary safety equipment such as astronomical binocular, solar filter, dark x-ray film, and more. The live coverage will be presented free of cost.

Dr. Lata Shrimali will be present to share more information about this astronomical occurrence in detail. Many students from a number of schools along with the common public will be present to get this experience. The audience will be allowed to take a tour of the Astronomy Gallery present there so as to gain more knowledge about the astronomical happenings.

Some Information related to the Transit:

• This transit will be positive for signs related to Planet Mercury, which include Gemini and Virgo.
• The transit occurs 13 times in a century but the time difference between each transit is not defined.
• It was seen in the year 2006 last time. Now it’s occurring in 2016 and it is expected to happen again in 2032.
• It is also being said that this transit is likely to happen in 2019 as well. But it is less likely to be seen in India.
• In India, the transit can be seen from 4:42p.m. to 12:12 at night.
• In Jaipur, it will be best seen from 4:40p.m. to 4:44p.m. today. After that the transit can be seen using a telescope or solar specs.