Transit of Venus, where will you be??

[04Stefan07]

Thought I should start a thread asking where everyone here will be during the transit :).

I will be at home. Wake up at around 7:30pm, get changed and setup the scope and equipment. Best view for the morning I will be on my front balcony (really high up :)). Will be trying to get some photos as well :)

Later that morning til the end of the transit I will be moving to the backyard. I am inviting some people over as well so it should be really fun!

Where is everyone else here going and what is planned?!?!?

[Nico13]

Not sure yet as backyard will miss first contact so thinking of moving to a local high ground spot or even going into Geelong and shooting over the Bay, plenty of locations localy and will be inviting a mate who has a fixed scope with poor easterly view.

[Poita]

Front yard, nice clear view if the weather co-operates.
As I will be highly visible setup out there, I have multiple solar glasses and have made some pinhole projectors as well in case of some spontaneous outreach :)

[Ric]

I'll be at home in the back paddock with the Roo's.

If all goes well I'll have a perfect view from start to finish. I plan to be set up by 6 to 6:30 to allow for any last minute hiccups.

I was hoping for a final trial run this weekend but it's not looking to promising weather wise so it may be a case of checking everything and cleaning some dust bunnies off the corrector that I noticed.

I guess now the countdown has begun and it's all in the lap of the astronomy gods as to what next Wednesday will bring.

[koputai]

I start work before the sun gets to my pier, so I'm thinking of asking the boss if I can take a few hours off in the morning, then maybe drag the ED80 and a small tripod to work and set up in the car park in case someone else wants a squizz.

Cheers,
Jason.

[jenchris]

Paradise Point, Gold coast - SAS members are setting up a small section by 6.30am it's not intended for the public, but passers by may be able to squizz.
I'm using a stopped down 8" to a 4" 1000 oaks filter.
Did a trial run a week or so ago and it looks fine

[Liz]

Will try and get the first contact from my front yard (overlooks the sea) then head into town an hr later to set up in front of the Museum with another member of our group. The Museum are having lots going on, with schools coming through, live streaming inside and talks, then us outside being bombarded with school kids and more. :)

Our forecast (per Houghys site) is for sunshine ALL DAY. :D

7 sleeps to go!!

[swannies1983]

Probably in my backyard. Our little girl arrived on Sunday so I now have 3 weeks off from work. I will use my 60mm refractor and project onto card (as I did for the 2004 transit). Not very confident with the weather though.

[Liz]

Wow, congratulations Dan and partner!! :)

Good luck for the transit. :thumbsup:

[jenchris]

Congrats Mrs Dan and Dan.
I wish you restful nights and mimimalist teething.

[OICURMT]

I was going to be in King's Park (Perth) before sunrise with three scopes... but now I've got meetings in Adelaide on the Tuesday and can't make it back.

So I will be traveling with the PST and take Wed. morning off to observe... the advantage is that now I can observe first and second contact.

OIC!

[omegacrux]

I told my boss I won't be at work
Set up out front I have unobstructed views east being only 50m from the coast
Hope its as clear as it was this moning

[barx1963]

Me, I will be on top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, hopefully getting beautiful clear views!:D

Malcolm

[Shark Bait]

I hope you can bring back lots of photos and not just of the transit.

[swannies1983]

Thanks Liz and Jen :thumbsup:

[Screwdriverone]

Working at a gold mine, :( no gold for me and no transit, but at least I will be outside and in Qld, not all bad....

Cheers

Chris

[ChrisM]

A few of us are setting up outside the local shopping centre in Traralgon. Did a site check this morning to confirm that the sun is visible (and it was!). All we need now is no fog or clouds.
Chris

[gary]

Hi Malcolm,

Cook of course sailed half way around the world to view the transit only to be
killed some years later in Hawaii.

Sounds like a wonderful place to be but be wary of any locals brandishing spears.

[mithrandir]

Probably at the Pony Club at Glenhaven. I've checked the angles in the car park at work and the sun won't clear the trees before 1st contact. I've still to try the office terrace but i don't think that will work either.

I could take the ST80 and CG5 to work for some outreach and 3rd/4th contact.

[Rob_K]

Forecast is looking a little better for my location but I'd still need to get to a nearby mountaintop for a decent horizon & to get above any early mist or fog that might be in the valleys. Should the weather be at all iffy, I'm off! NW Vic (say Mildura or Swan Hill) are looking good, otherwise I might follow Houghy's lead and get away big-time!! :lol: Time will tell, might be a decision best left for next Tuesday.

Cheers -

[mishku]

Volunteering with the ASV down at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. Think it will be an amazing opportunity to view my first and last transit at the Melbourne Observatory, and to poke around and look at the photoheliograph, which I've never seen, but sounds terribly impressive :)

Couldn't imagine a nicer way to spend a Wednesday.... but since I'll be in Melbourne, I'm not getting too excited, just preparing for that good ol' cleeeeewdy Melbourne weather.

Mish :)

[barx1963]

Hopefully the locals are a bit friendlier these days Gary.
With luck the only problem will be altitude sickness.

Malcolm

[von Tom]

At home in the front yard with the day off. Ingress and egress is at school start and finish times. I'll be covered for the morning but will have the car running and leave for school just as soon as Venus leaves the disc with zero time to spare!

[JB80]

Firstly, congrats on the little girl Dan. :)

I will be on the balcony of our villa hotel on Santorini in Greece which overlooks boths sides of the Agean. It should be nice with coffee in hand watching the sunrise as the transit is underway, fair enough we only get a couple of hours of the transit but it's the best we could manage. The rim of a volcano seems as good as spot as any.

[swannies1983]

Thanks Jarrod.

Adelaide actually looking like one of the better places for the transit now. Ended up getting some baader film so I plan to image the event.

[Astroman]

Congrats on the little bundle Dan, hope mum and bubs is doing well and dad being kept busy :D

Good Luck with the transit, still tossing up whether to stay south in Adelaide or travel north for a better chance at clearer sky without costal rubbish getting in the way...

Anyone in the Riverland that has power and a clear eastern horizon doesn't mind someone setting up around their place, let me know.. need power for laptop.

[Liz]

Wow, lucky you Jarrod!! Sounds heavenly. :thumbsup:

[JB80]

Thanks Liz. :)

It should be a great experience, the worst part though is we booked the hotel before the ferry and there are no ferry's leaving the day we planned so we have to stay an extra day.
I'm not sure if I can handle that. :D

[erick]

I'm thinking Bathurst, Orange, Parkes? Might be wishful thinking :sadeyes:

[Rob_K]

Forecast has gone from "Frost, then sunny" to "Possible showers" here - Mildura or thereabouts is looking good. Will be a last minute decision.

On another note, I imaged Venus in daylight on 31 May, just 9 degrees from the Sun (not recommended, fraught with danger for your eyesight and equipment if not carefully planned & carried out using suitable screening). Done with a Canon 400D & MTO 1100/10.5 mirror lens.

Cheers -

[Iain.k]

Setting up a few scopes with some friends on top of the uni, hopefuly the weather holds out. If not I do believe it will be streamed live :D. A perfect day all round.

[mat,v]

Funny you should mention teething Jenchris, I'll be at the dentist:D. Hopefully the weather will be clear and i can go to Port Macquarie observatory before hand.

[DavidU]

I will be inside the house listening to the rain on the roof. Typical Melbourne !

[AstralTraveller]

I had intended to spend the day at a mate's farm at Bungonia, drive up after work on Tuesday. It's a nice spot and away from coastal cloud. However, given the forecast I think it will be a very early start and drive inland. Yass isn't too far, or even out towards Harden. The big call will be whether it is possible to drive far enough to escape the cloud or whether I just save myself 6-8hrs behind the wheel.

[icytailmark]

lol the entire east coast is gunna be clouded over typical. ill watch streaming on the net

[Steffen]

I've taken the Wednesday off, but it starts to look like a long drive westward after work Tuesday night...

What's the closest safe bet for Sydney-siders? Bathurst, Orange? I don't think I could make it much farther :shrug:

Cheers
Steffen.

[Liz]

We have woken to bful clear skies after a week of cloud and drizzle, looks like we are clear now for the next week!! :D

[Varangian]

This is also how I will have to do it:)

[Analog6]

Now I have found my solar eclipse glasses I will be watching from home, providing it is not wet. 4 day forecast (http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/4day_col.shtml) looks faintly promising. Off to check the times etc.

[WadeH]

Not looking good for Perth and surrounds. Rain comming in for Wed., cloudy already.
Thinking of getting up early and chancing a 2hr drive NE for better weather :(

[04Stefan07]

Congrats Dan!

I'm hoping the weather will hold up here in the northern suburbs of Vic!

[astronobob]

May be the need for a small road trip from SEQLD ? ?
Weather for Weds is possible coastal showers at this stage ? ?
I may play it on the safe side & Head to Leyburn on Tues, then take it from there ? ? ?
Best of luck all , ,

[sheeny]

Plan B...

The weather forecast isn't looking good here but the forecast for, say just north of the ACT isn't looking too bad from Skippysky's transparency map, so I've just made a solar filter for the 300mm lens on the E510.:)

I might have to go for a little ride on GS, and take a tripod. No Ha shots for me:sadeyes:.

Al.

[Huey]

I'll be at home in western NSW. The forecast is for 0% rain even though the sky is overcast at the moment it should clear up for Wednesday. So a trip over the mountains mau be in order if you want to see the event.;)

Cheerio and clear skies
Huey

[h0ughy]

looking like will take a road trip to nyngan

[Irish stargazer]

A few us us are setting up scopes at our workplace in North Ryde to give our colleagues a chance to see the transit and look through a telescope for the first time. The event has stirred quite a bit of interest. Hopefully the weather will give us a break.

[The Mekon]

Am hoping to set up shop in the the town centre of Whyalla. Our office is nearby. No doubt I will get a few strange looks, but hopefully more interested ones. I have taped my solar filter from my 130EDT to my 106AT - it looks a bit rough but should work well.

[Peter Ward]

I've finally decided. Way out west looks good.

Taking the 5" Starfire, G-11 and 90mm Coronado. Laptop, Honda generator.
...bugger..why did I buy a sedan??

I suspect Sydney will be a tale of woe.

[Steffen]

So, off to Nyngan then? Bugger, that's a hell of a trip, 7 hours from home.

[rogerg]

Wade - Weather forecast looks much the same up as far as Meekatharra, might not be worth the 2 hours drive :shrug: I am considering driving to Esperance, the only promising forecast within that distance. Maybe I'm crazy, 600km trip. :question:

[naskies]

Bob, I thought about heading to Leyburn too but the forecast doesn't look any better than for Bris? (I don't know about the GC though.) At least we're now "fine, mostly sunny" instead of forecasted showers...

[Brettstar6754]

Big road trip coming up.
We will head towards the Sunraysia!!
Hay or there about's may do though.

Would be nice to see the ABC do a more detailed analysis of possible areas to observe the transit.

This Venus transit competition may be of interest:
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/competitions

[Chris.B]

I'll start at home and then head up to my daughters high school later in the morning. Not sure how many classes will be be coming out to take a look yet. Weather reports are sounding ok at this stage, at least for the morning. Did a trial run sunday and all systems go. Will be the refractor and doby.

[Steffen]

The forecast for Eastern NSW is improving (and this morning was a nice and sunny one). At this point Parkes looks like a good destination to head for. It would be a lot closer to Sydney, and who doesn't like Parkes :)

Cheers
Steffen.

[erick]

Stay in bed and look at the computer screen? :sadeyes:

Oh why wasn't it today.

[dan_b85]

In Perth, hoping the clouds clear for tonight and Wensday. :)

[Rob P]

Did a swap with a colleague and have the day off. :) Did a dry run with the gear today and the backyard at home is looking good. :) Skippy and 7timer are giving delightful forecasts. :) What could go wrong?........

[pixelsaurus]

I'll probably be in front of the laptop. Weather for NZ not looking at all good.

[OzRob]

I have just finished taking all my stuff out of storage and setting it up. The cloudy season has arrived in Thailand and my chance of seeing it is low. I did get a view of the Sun today so that I could focus so you never know.

[gary]

Hi David,

At this moment, the most favorable forecasts I can spot for NSW are around
Griffith where the prediction is that it will be sunny and only 1% chance of rain.

By comparison, the prediction for Narrabri is cloudy with a 40% chance of rain.

Quite a drive to Griffith though, taking over 7 hours from Sydney alone.

[omegacrux]

Looks like a change of plan for me
I will start off at home then at about 10ish my workmates want me to bring the scope in , so Il set up at work and let them have a look
I honestly didn't think they would be interested ( football is more there thing )

Dave

[h0ughy]

its clear at nyngan, but not so for dubbo to coona

[Steffen]

Yes, the forecast for Dubbo and Parkes has turned worse again.

Looks like a long drive tomorrow… :driving:

Does anybody know Nyngan? Are there places to stay with a clear north-east view from the porch? ;)

Cheers
Steffen.

[h0ughy]

i founda spot but not telling until i get there - i havent booked yet;)

[gary]

Hi Steffen,

We had excellent luck with Nyngan to observe the Leonids a few years back.

What we noted about it before is that it is strategically convenient because the road
forks there. If need be, one can either head north-west in the direction of Bourke
or west toward Broken Hill.

We rolled in late in the afternoon, booked a room I think at the Alamo and then
explained to the woman from reception what we were up to. As we needed a dark
sky for the Leonids, she gave us directions to a large paddock out of
town to the south from memory that had nothing but a microwave tower located on
it and was near a levee. It was probably about 3.5km out of town on the Tullamore-Nyngan Road.

We didn't return to the motel until sunrise the next morning to catch an hour's sleep and have a shower
and we were on the road back again to Sydney.

You could certainly observe the transit from the grounds of the motel.

It is a good seven hour drive but you need to allow longer for some breaks.

[madwayne]

Steffen/All

Have you guys looked at the forecast for Cootamundra? Beautiful part of the country and Weather Zone is saying clearing shower for today followed by frost and sunny for tomorrow -2 to 14. The forecast in the general area around Cootamundra is also promising with Wagga mostly clear, Griffith and albury pretty much the same as Cootamundra and even Yass shows a bit of potential, however West Wyalong to the North is not so flash. Easy 4 hour drive down the M5/Hume Highway past Yass and turn right at Coolac, near Jugiong.

I'm pretty sure I have just convinced myself to go for a drive to Coota tonight.

Wayne

[JohnG]

If any of you are coming to Cootamundra, give me a PM and I will give you my address, yes, it is looking good :thumbsup:.

Plenty of room in the backyard, power available.

Cheers

[madwayne]

That is very generous of you John - thank you for the offer.

Wayne

[Steffen]

The forecasts (SkippySky and 7Timer/APanel) keep shifting around. Nyngan now looks a bit dicey. In fact, Cootamundra seems much better, with Wagga Wagga looking like an almost safe fallback.

Problem with all of them is that they'll be cloudy today and all throughout the night, and will only be clearing in the morning. So it's really a gamble.

Gotta decide within the hour or so…

Cheers
Steffen.

[MartinM]

Nana Glen, Mid North Coast of NSW forecast is cloudy with scattered showers with winds 20 - 30K's gusting to 45K's. NOT GOOD! On the up side I just had a look at the sun and there are quite a few sun spots!

[AstralTraveller]

It looks like west of Yass is the go from Wollongong. The public park at Jugiong has some potential, though the tall trees on the nth side of the road (park is on the sth side) could be a problem. But there is a sporting field or race track that has plenty of open space. If you head out on the road to Temora you can go more directly west than by staying on the highway. The village of Binalong is supposed to have a rest area but I couldn't find it on Google street view. Likewise Harden doesn't look good. However the tiny speck called Wallendbeen has a great spot. Near the intersection of the Olympic Hwy and Burley Griffin Way is a rest area with shelters, toilets and lots of open space on the north side. Withe the sun only being at 10 degrees elevation at ingress flat horizons are paramount.

The hopeful news of course is that the weather here now is not as bad as the predictions said. In fact I often find that Skippy Skies and 7Timer are pessimistic - something that has caused me to miss some potential obs nights.

[JohnG]

If you are thinking of Wallendbeen, I am 21Ks further down the road, see my previous post.

Cheers

[traveller]

I got tomorrow off, yippee~!
BUT, the weather in Melbourne is extremely dodgy at the moment :sadeyes:
There will be a reasonable view from my backyard. I will have my 60mm toy refractor with home made Baader filter. Might mount my DSLR and video on the EQ mount each with a solar filter and see what I can get.
Please let the sun shine tomorrow :sunny::prey2::prey:

[AstralTraveller]

Thanks for that. What is the aspect like from your place? At ingress the sun is only 10 degrees up at 54 degrees azimuth. I'm traveling with a few others so I'll have to consult.

[JohnG]

There is the roof of a house around that azimuth so I would suspect it would be touch and go, I would say that the road in from Yass to Harden may not offer you much either, there is a range of hills that run to the North of that road, you may get a good easterly aspect to the west of Wallendbeen on the Temora Road but once again there are hills to the North.

Just a thought, maybe Cootamundra Airport will give you the horizon you desire.

Cheers

[John0z]

Hi,

I expect to be out the front of the house, on the driveway near the nature strip. From there, I should be able to see the sun peaking up over the rooftops at about 8:10 AM or so. I spent today setting up the tripod, getting it levelled and aimed at south then marked where the legs go, so the morning should be a quick setup - weather permitting of course.

-John

[Forgey]

I will be in my backyard but the neighbors trees are in the way so i probably wont be able to get anything till about 8:30. The weather for melbourne isnt looking too bad for the morning at least but will wait and see.

[dj gravelrash]

Hopefully with other SAS club members on the esplanarde park--Paradise Point -Gold Coast;)

[Steffen]

Just arrived at Cootamundra. Not far from my motel (Wattle Tree) is a park (cricket ground?) with great eastern and northern views, and a nice lawn to set up on. It looks like we may get the 10 degrees altitude we need there.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Paullus]

Plan A:
Set up at USQ Toowoomba with a couple of AAQ members as part of a public viewing display. However the forecast is not that favourable from the BoM (a cloudy day with possible morning drizzle), Skippy has quite a bit of cloud cover, easing throughout the day then getting worse.

Plan B:
If there's not much chance of it clearing or clouds breaking up, I will head W, N or E for a max of 2hrs. If I go east I might head to UQ where the rest of the AAQ folk will be, or any park I find with a clear view.

It's a bit touch n go at the moment, will check the sky and forecasts in the morning.

Cheers

[Paddy]

I've taken the day off and will be at home. I'll go down the road for 1st and 2nd contact as trees will be in the way at that time. And the forecast is looking good!!!:thumbsup::):D

[MrAstro]

Hmmm my first post here :)...

Well, just arrived in Hay after an eight hour drive from Sydney. It's as flat as a proverbial tack here and apparently there's a sunrise/sunset lookout about 16km's out of town. There's a little under an hour between sunrise and the transit from this location but given it's so flat it shouldn't be a problem.

I've brought my 80mm short focal length erect finder scope and an Orion 80mm filter. I use a 13mm Plossl and voila - one highly portable solar scope. I mount it on a camera tripod. I've also brought a longer focal length refractor and a mylar solar filter for my better half.

About 50% cloud cover here ATM but it's clearing rapidly :)

Good luck for tomorrow everyone.

[dan_b85]

Just finished work, not likening the clouds here in Perth, not really any thing close by to get to with out clouds

[Giuseppe66]

Hi everybody! I represent a group of Italian stargazers who will be watching the transit from the southern tip of Italy. We will be able to watch just the last hour, when the sun will rise above our horizon. Does anybody in Australia or elsewhere want to share pics, so we can play at measuring the AU? We also have a couple of high school students who will be happy to get involved in it. We will be taking pics every 5 min (6:00; 6:05 etc) and we also take the time of the 3rd and 4th contact. Our location is at 37°55' N and 16° 00' E, approx. Let us know, ciao

[madwayne]

Hi Steffen

I'm heading in your direction around 3am tomorrow. To me it is just too dangerous on the roads in Sydney and Southern NSW at the moment to get down there at a half decent hour tonight. I'm going to heed John's local advice and head for the airport at Cootamundra. I have another SASI member tagging along so it could be a mini transit party at Cootamundra Airport :lol:.

Be great to meet you and share the day with you and hopefully John.

All the best for clear skies.

Wayne

[spacezebra]

Im on outreach duty tomorrow here in Albury - over 1000 kids OMG!

Cheers Petra d

[Steffen]

Ok, Cootamundra airport it is. The place I was thinking of is called Albert Park, but the airport is just a few blocks up the road (gotta love those small country towns ;) ).

Where exactly at the airport shall we meet?

Cheers
Steffen.

[mozzie]

i,m hoping the weather will hold and be okay tomorrow,absolutely perfect weather hear at the moment no cloud no wind perfect!!!!!!!!

not to good a forecast but for tomorrow..

[Shark Bait]

Same same, I will be at my Son's school. If all goes to plan about 600 should get to take part. We will have three scopes setup to spread the load, two will be projecting the images and one will be fitted with Baader Solar film (Visual 5.0).

Each student should get around 30 seconds at the solar filtered scope.

[tomtom]

Finally! found some 80mm solar film. Hacked up the best off-axis filter I could and am ready to go :D Hopefully; I didn't get to test it today haha

Will be up the road at a little patch on a hill :) If Melbourne weather forecast stays nice.

[iceman]

I'll be watching online :(
Weather is terrible.

[Keltik]

Sunbury, Victoria, at work, nipping out at any spare moment with the 6"refractor and entertaining the staff, hopefully. Luckily tomorrow's not busy, so I don't care if I get a crappy glimpse between clouds, I can say, like I did with Halley's Comet..."I seen it!"

[spacezebra]

Stu - thats brilliant!

Im going to be at 3 schools throughout the day:eyepop: - its game on!!!!



Cheers Petra d.

[trek1701]

Got the day off work.
Driving up the Hume Freeway until its sunny:thumbsup:

Mark

[Miles Away]

Me? I got the day off so due to murphy's law I will be attending the event online...

[erick]

OK, got my shot! Just one day out in eight years - not a big error, is it??

OK, I'll photoshop in a black dot tomorrow when I find out where to put it! ;)

[mithrandir]

Anyone have a forecast for Canberra? It's only 3 hours drive.

Transit from Mt Stromlo would be uber cool, but I'm pretty much resigned to watching via the internet, from bed, sipping lemon & honey.

[icytailmark]

Skies clearing in Sydney!!!!! Just hope the wind dies down!!!!! OMG im so excited!!!!!!!!! I cant sleep!!!!!!!

[JB80]

I have a beautiful view, unobstructed out over the ocean and the weather seems like it'll be alright but maybe a bit windy but it was this morning for my trial run too.
Tonight I'll make my filter up for the camera and make sure everything is charged and at hand.

All in all I'm as prepared as I'll ever be, it's up to the alarm clock now.

[Liz]

oooh, so jealous Jarrod, enjoy the serene views in Greece.


I am soooo wide awake,and have neem for awhile. Mind is ticking along of what i need to do. Skies clear, weather ..cooold .. .for here.

[mozzie]

awaken early with the sound of wind !!!!!!!!! not to strong but it's quiet starry and looking good for today..some light scattered cloud but if i can get to see any of the contacts i'm going to be happy..hope all get to see this today and enjoy it :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[MrAstro]

100% clear here in Hay - stars visible from one end of the sky to the other.

Looking good!

[Irish stargazer]

Please please please stay clear. I have 400 people ready to cue up to see this event at work

[DavidTrap]

Working...

Enjoy it, for those who can see it!

DT

[sheeny]

Me too.:sadeyes:

Al.

[JohnG]

Perfect clear morning here at Coota, good -3c. Cloud cleared around 2200 last night.

Cheers

[Paul Haese]

Cloud bank moving through at present. Bureau said partly cloudy at first then clearing. Skippy sky prediction attached. Fact is currently 7/8 cloud. Doing this from home, too late to move.

[erick]

Bright sun through sucker holes in Mona Vale!

[chrisp9au]

Not a cloud in the sky in Kyneton! :)

Chris

[MartinM]

Nana Glen NSW cloudy with small clear spots, may get the odd glimpse. Set up to go, just in case I'm lucky.

[Adelastro1]

Same where I am too in the CBD at Uni. Looks clear past the Hills below the sun. It will burn off, I can see lots of blue sky amongst the cloud. Will just miss first contact tho! Enjoy the view everyone!

[mat,v]

Looks like i'll be snuggled up in front of the fireplace.Seems like the rain gods are exacting their revenge on me.Dentist is cancelled as the weather is playing havoc with my back, so it could be worse :lol:. Hope ya'll catch a break:thumbsup:

[Paul Haese]

Latest Sat picture is looking ok, cloud bank moving over Adelaide but breaking up behind the hills zone down near Narracoorte. One or two hows we should see that break here. Stay tuned. BTW SKIPPY SKY IS WRONG!

[psyke777]

The clouds were below the sun in Sydney for the start. Yay!
I am attaching a very poor picture taken with a hand held camera.

[dan_b85]

Wow nice first pic, sun up at 7.14 in Perth So I can't wait

[mithrandir]

At home in Castle Hill. Missed 1st contact with cloud. Saw 2nd contact. DSLR now shooting at 2 min intervals.

CFO is having a look through the binos from time to time.

However we're getting intermittent showers.

[mozzie]

walked down to the bottom of my block to get an easterly view and got both first and second contact between a bit of cloud with blue skies coming up from the south the gods must be looking down on little old moonee beach..wow what a sight cranked up my coronado 40mm with a 6.7mm to try and see if it was going to be seen in a flare before first contact but didn't see..going to get some shots with my phone as the kids want to see it...they jumped out of the car just after first to get a glimpse and were happy(but wanted to stay home).hope they remember this for the rest of there life!!!!!!!!!

[Terry B]

At my daughters school in Armidale. 99% cloud but I have seen it Through the clouds

[dan_b85]

Just saw it in Perth all for 30 seconds, well worth the day off, hope to see more

[erick]

I've had several seconds of viewing through the scope - I'm very happy.

Had a call from Melbourne. Super excited viewing by young children through IIS solar glasses. Yes, they can see the "black dot" on the Sun. A pair has been left with the childcare centre so they can all go out later this morning and look.

To think, it is possible that some of these 3 and 4 year olds may see the next transit!! :)

[chrisp9au]

My first astro photo! :D

Not a cloud to be seen!

Chris

[AdamJL]

Anyone here planning on using an SLR to shoot today? If so, got any tips? :)

[Steffen]

Absolutely brilliant! Woke up to clear skies without a whisp of cloud or haze. No wind either, just perfect, as is the view at the airport.

Cheers
Steffen.

[IanT]

At 8.15am the clouds parted at North Fitzroy and at 9.30 they closed in. Broke out a wobbly old childhood 60mm refractor and a 10mm eyepiece from 1/2 a century ago; roped in a friend to hold a piece of white cardboard and there was Venus! From 9 am to 9.30am it looked fantastic. Such a great sense of history to see it really happening. Now it's gone behind clouds and all that's left is to look at webcasts - which feels a little like that old Leunig cartoon of Mr Curly looking at a sunrise on TV while it is seen actually rising behind his back outside of his window Better than nothing though.
Ian

[swannies1983]

Tell us what you really think of Skippy ;)

Starting to get a bit brighter here.

[mozzie]

just come in for a cuppa!!!!the weather has really cleared here how lucky...
geez this beats going to work :lol::lol:

[swannies1983]

Yeah just rocking my daughter off to sleep and then I will go outside and set up.

[psyke777]

I am glad my veranda faces East. Watching the transit in the rain without getting wet. :thumbsup:

[erick]

And remember, the ToV is why we in Australia speak English and not French, nor Dutch. Astronomy is important - it has influenced history big time!

[psyke777]

Live web feed.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/

[JSmith]

Hi all,

I'm in the Sydney CBD at work and won't be able to get a proper look until after work... which will be too late.

Is anyone setup in the city or somewhere close with a filtered telescope that I may come to share with you during my lunch break?

Either that or does anyone know of a shop that sells eclipse glasses in the city?

I've been observing the event online since it began but would love to have a proper look.

I will be very appreciative to anyone who can assist me today.

Thanks,

JSmith :help::thanx:

[Retrograde]

Managed to get a few quick views in so far here in Sydney. Cloudy again at present but looks like the possibility of a few more views before the end.

That's far more than I was expecting given the atrocious weather last night. :)

[MrAstro]

Here's a couple from Hay - not the best quality - just a compact camera vignetting through the eyepiece.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7343505940_38f008cd7f_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7158302725_fbc03d61f3_c.jpg

[psyke777]

You could jump on the tram (http://www.metrotransport.com.au/uploads/images/NetworkMap_2012_Web.pdf) and head to BinTel (http://www.bintel.com.au/contactus.aspx) at Glebe. They also have a park across the road. I bet they are set up and watching in the park.

Get off the tram at Exhibition (less travel time, longer walk) or Wentworth Park (longer travel, shorter walk). Not sure which is actually faster.

[tomtom]

Missed the start due to trees, was gonna go down the road a bit but didn't think it would be worth it by the time I packed the scope in to the car and got there anyway.

Started viewing through the trees because I was too excited haha

Beautiful clear skies till about 11:00 and within 10 minutes full of clouds.
Still got a couple of views through them, but now it's really thick and am watching online.

Here's some websites for anyone in the same position.

http://www.space.com/16005-venus-transit-webcasts-watch-live.html

Really happy with the amount of time I had though. Took some sketches and tried to get a few photos through the scope and off, don't know how they'll turn out though.

It really puts Earth in perspective, seeing Venus up there traversing the Sun.... I feel more part of the Universe :lol:

[psyke777]

More pics

[AdamJL]

Just tried in clear sunshine in the CBD with a Mk IV and 500 f/4

Far too bright! haha.
Will have to wait for the right kind of cloud to obscure the sun. Gah.

[04Stefan07]

Clouds came in at 11, I been up since just before 7. Got almost 3 hours which is good with heaps of pics!

[tomtom]

None of my handheld pics through the scope with a digital camera worked, surprise surprise :rolleyes::lol:

But here's one of the filter I whipped up. High tech.
I was ready and prepared to lose an eye though :lol:

http://i.imgur.com/bFfno.jpg?2346

....Yes, that's blu-tack.

[swannies1983]

Wahoo! Now getting chunks of clear sky so happily imaging away. Took wife out and got her to put on the eclipse glasses. She didn't seem that interested to see a dot on the sun :lol:

[JSmith]

Hey mate,

Thanks very much for the suggestion. Unfortunately I wouldn't make it to Glebe and back during my lunch break.



C'mon, there must be someone with a setup in the Sydney CBD I can share for 5 mins? :)

... or surely there is a store I can buy some eclipse glasses from?

Cheers,

JSmith :thanx:

[Giorgio]

:eyepop:
I finally saw it!!
First time ever I watched the Sun. Doing it with a 12" dob, even with a cheap sun filter implementation (Thanks Ubique for your advices), it looked great.

BTW, I'm sure must have been already mentioned in this thread, but haven't read all of it yet, what those other black spots actually are? My guess is something on the Sun surface, but honestly I have no idea :lol:

[JSmith]

Bugger, it's cloudy and raining again now anyway... :(

JSmith

[Giorgio]

Hey JSmith,

Just in case you haven't done it yet, have a look here for an online live broadcasting (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jun/05/transit-of-venus-live-coverage). If not other, there is also audio commentaries. Every now and then, they replace the live stream with nice docs, but surely it must be the next best thing than a live setup I guess. I have followed it this morning while here was cloudy.
;)

[psyke777]

http://www.bbso.njit.edu/Images/daily/images/hmovie2.mpg

This keeps updating to the latest "movie" of the sun.

[IanT]

In the CBD Melbourne it started out fine then clouded up for a few hours but has now mostly cleared for the final stages. Yay!

[psyke777]

Go away Sydney clouds!!!

[Scopie]

40km south of Perth through a break in the clouds. Don't think there will be another chance before the transit ends in 45 mins. My wife and I both saw Venus, a little murky and out of focus due to cloud and no time to collimate my 16in SW. But I saw the unlight of Venus with my own eyes!!!

And I've never moved and mostly set up my 16 inch collapsible SW in under 3 minutes before!!!

[iceman]

Woohoo! Sucker holes! I saw it and captured it! Yay!

[tomtom]

Clouds went away again, then came back for the blob, then I rushed outside when they went away again for the last 5 minutes or so :D

Not too bad. Missed the exact exit point, that's about it.

[MrAstro]

Yeehaa! got to see it all with zero clouds - I think I have eye burn :eyepop:

Sort of sad it will never happen again in for anyone currently alive and weird to think I'll be dead and buried next time.

[tomtom]

Sun spots! haha:lol:
Clever name hey?



Me too man. My right eye is quite irritated haha Oh well.
I think it's mostly from looking through the viewfinder without a filter on it :S

And maybe we will cure death, so you may see it again, just don't count on it :lol:

[psyke777]

Well that's that. Clouds stole the ending :(

[mozzie]

wow what a day!!!!!!!!!!!! with predicted bad weather and an east coast low was able to see all 4 contacts with excellent viewing all day.i like all was waiting for this too happen for years and was not disappointed i hope all had great views and plenty of pictures!!!!!!!!!! had taken quiet a few with my i-phone and was very happy with results something to look back at-and use for wallpapers :D:D

[Iain.k]

What a day, full of lovely clouds.
Some gaps though which was nice.

[Irish stargazer]

Despite the cloud cover in north ryde we did get quite a few small gaps in the clouds and gave about 150 or so colleagues a chance to witness the event albeit only for a few seconds each. We had two scopes which really helped. People were prepared to wait five or ten minutes between the gaps to have a quick look and everyone who came saw the transit. Great fun and a fantastic success overall.:)

[boomstix]

We had a great day at work today (no work done being an equally great part). Work for a surveying company so everyone there was quite excited to see the transit. Had perfect clear skies all day apart from a few clouds in the last 15 mins of viewing which actually made for some nice photos. Also had about 30-40 people from the surrounding offices take a look and all were equally amazed. Here is a photo i have put together of several and rotated to fit 'ok'

[tomtom]

This is my horrible, horrible attempt lol
http://imgur.com/a/aqPA7

Oh well.... first time doing it and at least got Venus in those 3 and a couple of sun spots if you zoom in :lol:

[bones]

Didn't mean much having a window seat at work. Spent most of the day flat out, whilst outside was raining and cloudy all day.:(.
Tony

[MrAstro]

It's not so bad - it's great you have a record of it on your equipment for posterity. You can certainly make it out.

[madwayne]

Home after a fairly long day. Up at 2:20am to leave at 3am, drove the 350kms to Cootamundra left down there at 3pm home at 7pm, 700 kms and I would do it all again tomorrow but thankfully have 105 years to get over this one :). Thank you JohnG for the tip about the airport, we had an awesome day with Steffen and his son Marcus, Clinton also came down for the day. And John my apologies for not dropping in after the transit, your courtesy and tips on the viewing location was greatly received.

Hope you all had a great day and made the best of what ever mother nature threw at you.

Wayne

[JohnG]

No problems Wayne

You missed out on the cake and Tim Tams for morning tea :D.

Cheers

[04Stefan07]

Was able to get just under 3 hours of the transit before the clouds rolled in.

Took heaps of photos which came out good! In the morning started off on the front balcony, switched to the backyard then back to the balcony. This was because of the damn trees in the way! Had a few friends come over, had lunch, etc.

It was fun and glad to have witnessed it, will never forget it!!

[Steffen]

Yes, what a great day! Thanks Wayne and Clinton for your company, and cheers John for the excellent tips (1. Cootamundra, 2. airport).

Cheers
Steffen.

[neB]

I know it's way after the event but a quick note on my ToV experience.

I work in the Brisbane CBD and just before lunch went down into the little park next to my building with IIS "Sunnies" in hand and IIS T-shirt on body.

To my surprise one of the guys from work had brought his scope in and had drawn a small crowd viewing the ToV. I unwrapped my newly purchased IIS Sunnies and took my first glimpse and went "Wow!".

Soon we had rolling crowds of between 6 and 10 people passing through taking a look first through the sunnies - where the response was invariably "Wow!" - and then the scope which drew a similar response.

Because of my IIS shirt many were asking me questions and for a look through sunnies and scope (which I of course had to defer to its owner).

I even discovered that one of the guys I work with, and sit 10 feet away from, is an IIS member and had tried to buy IIS sunnies but was too late. So he got to have a look through them anyway.

All-in-all a great event.

[Giorgio]

Fantastic experience offering to non initiate people such an event sharing with them both passion and tools.
Well done mate!