Transit of Venus, Not unmannedspaceflight but it's in space, so.... |
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Transit of Venus, Not unmannedspaceflight but it's in space, so.... |
 May 21 2012, 02:42 AM
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#1
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 Member  Group: Members Posts: 508 Joined: 10-October 06 From: Maynard Mass USA Member No.: 1241  |
Q: Will the transit of Venus in a few weeks, be visible at Mars?
Could Oppy (or orbiters) resolve it ??? -------------------- CLA CLL
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May 21 2012, 03:50 AM
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#2
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 Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 6501 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
No. Mars would have to be both in precise opposition with the Earth (which it isn't) and at a point in its orbit that was precisely coplanar with our own. In fact, you'd probably see a transit of BOTH Earth & Venus from Mars given those circumstances.
I'm sure it happens, but the interval between occurrences probably has to be measured in geological time. -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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May 21 2012, 05:39 AM
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#3
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 662 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 1700 |
That brings up a [probably silly] question: would anything be visible to MESSENGER if it pointed towards Venus during transit?
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May 21 2012, 06:11 AM
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#4
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 Administrator Group: Chairman Posts: 13274 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
Why would it? Venus doesn't care that the Earth's in opposition.
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May 21 2012, 09:50 AM
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#5
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 Senior Member Group: Admin Posts: 2443 Joined: 21-December 05 From: Canberra, Australia Member No.: 615 |
ADMIN NOTE: Some OT mentions of the transit and its observation moved here (as above).
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May 21 2012, 02:28 PM
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#6
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Member Group: Members Posts: 302 Joined: 21-September 07 From: Québec, Canada Member No.: 3908 |
According to this, the last transit of Earth from Mars was on May 11, 1984, and the next will be on November 10, 2084.
According to this, the last transit of Venus from Mars was on August 21, 1998, and the next will be on August 19, 2030. Transits of Venus seen from Mars seem to be more frequent than those seen from Earth. It is because the planes of the orbits of the two planets are closer than the planes of the orbits of Earth and Venus. The next simultaneous Earth-Venus transit seen from Mars will be in the year 571,471. |
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May 21 2012, 02:32 PM
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#7
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 The Poet Dude Group: Moderator Posts: 5548 Joined: 15-March 04 From: Kendal, Cumbria, UK Member No.: 60 |
QUOTE (charborob @ May 21 2012, 03:28 PM)  The next simultaneous Earth-Venus transit seen from Mars will be in the year 571,471. So about the time ExoMars will get there. Great timing! B) -------------------- |
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May 21 2012, 03:40 PM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1108 Joined: 14-October 05 From: Seattle Member No.: 530 |
QUOTE (charborob @ May 21 2012, 09:28 AM) The next simultaneous Earth-Venus transit seen from Mars will be in the year 571,471. That'll make for some great chain emails among the residents of Mars. |
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May 21 2012, 04:24 PM
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#9
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 Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 51 Joined: 25-December 05 From: Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA Member No.: 619 |
"The next simultaneous Earth-Venus transit seen from Mars will be in the year 571,471."
I assume that a simultaneous Mercury-Venus transit as seen from Earth is impossible because of the difference in orbital planes? |
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May 21 2012, 05:25 PM
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#10
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Member Group: Members Posts: 662 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 1700 |
My silly question rephrased: at this point in its mission would MESSENGER ever be capable of imaging any of the other planets?
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May 21 2012, 08:47 PM
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#11
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Administrator Group: Chairman Posts: 13274 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
It already has - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MESSENGE...ly_Portrait.jpg
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May 22 2012, 07:32 PM
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#12
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 40 Joined: 15-July 09 Member No.: 4867 |
QUOTE (rogelio @ May 21 2012, 06:24 PM) I assume that a simultaneous Mercury-Venus transit as seen from Earth is impossible because of the difference in orbital planes? It's not impossible thanks to the precession of the nodes.Hence, Jean Meeus has written (quoted from wikipedia): The simultaneous occurrence of a transit of Mercury and a transit of Venus is extremely rare, and will next occur only in the years 69163 and 224508. The last simultaneous transit occurred in 373173 BC. At this date, we would probably be able to watch by ourself a simultaneous transit from any point in the line sun-mercury-Venus in the solar system, with a portable teleportation equipment. 
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May 26 2012, 11:23 AM
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#13
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The Poet Dude Group: Moderator Posts: 5548 Joined: 15-March 04 From: Kendal, Cumbria, UK Member No.: 60 |
Preparations for observing the Transit from Kendal are now well underway - viwing location chosen, filters and cameras ready, new lens bought. Now all we need is the weather to co-operate...
Took some pics of Venus through my scope last night, knowing that because of work, etc, I probably wouldn't get another chance before the transit. Turned out pretty well...
( More on my "Cumbrian Sky" blog, see footer below ) -------------------- |
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May 27 2012, 11:13 AM
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#14
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 615 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
This site is must see for all of us Venus transit observers...there were some problems with flash player on it but now is OK!
Just click on the mini map and enter your coordinates and use slider in the bottom of the page to see transit progress. Enjoy!!! -------------------- The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.
Jules H. Poincare My "Astrophotos" gallery on flickr... |
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May 27 2012, 07:17 PM
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#15
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Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 6501 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
That is a VERY cool site, Toma; thanks!!!
-------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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