For the last time until 2117, the transit of Venus will occur at approximately 5:04 p.m. today.
During this rare phenomenon, Venus covers 1/32 of the sun and can be seen by the naked eye — or preferably with protective eyewear due to the sun’s damaging rays — in good conditions.
The event is best viewed through special sun-viewing glasses or telescopes, according to Fox News.
Transits happen every 105.5 years or 121.5 years and occur in pairs. The last transit of Venus was June 8, 2004. The transits are a result of the 3.4 degree difference between Venus and Earth’s orbit.
According to NASA, there have only been seven recorded transits of Venus since the invention of the telescope in 1610.
Abrams Planetarium will have telescopes set up on the top level of the Shaw parking ramp to observe the transit.
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