© 2024 WEMU
Serving Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, MI
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A Rare Event Involving Planet Mercury Is Taking Place Monday From 7 A.M. Until 2 P.M.

Eastern Michigan University

It hasn't happened in ten years... a rare passage of the planet Mercury in front of the sun called a "Mercury Transit."

It won't be visible with the naked eye but can be seen from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. this afternoon through a telescope with a proper sun filter.

Eastern Michigan University's SherzerObservatorywill be open for viewing.  EMU astronomer Norbert Vance describes what they hope to see.

Planet Mercury Transits only happen in the months of November and May, and the next time it happens in the month of May won't be until the year 2049.

Sherzer Hall Observatory will be open to the public Monday, May 9th from 7 A.M. to 2 P.M., weather permitting. 

NASA has more information about the transit. 

Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU.  You can contact Lisa at734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu

Lisa Barry was a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU.
Related Content