Transit of Venus

June 8, 2004!

From Mishawaka, Indiana, USA

3rd Contact!

The transit of Venus was witnessed and celebrated from Mishawaka, Indiana, USA, under very good conditions. We had successful stargazing the night of June 7; webcasts beginning at midnight (EST); clear skies at sunrise; perhaps 20 quality telescopes and viewing devices; and a crowd of enthusiasts. As third contact approached, so too did a large bank of low clouds. However, the clouds cleared in time to capture that elusive moment.

Visually, the transit of Venus at third contact was more rewarding than I had anticipated. No appreciable black drop effect appeared, on which we could blame diverse timings. I was taken aback by how difficult it was to discern the exact second of contact. Only part of it can be attributed to the festival-like atmosphere we sought.

Details about the celebration and our experience will be uploaded after we tend to some necessary business--sending many thank-you notes, paying bills, gathering images and stories, and getting some sleep. In the meantime, we thank the many businesses and individuals who supported our efforts to bring this dynamic solar system experience to our community.

Brian Davis wrote a descriptive observing report about his experience.

Media Coverage Continues


3092	3087	3084	dustin012	kaelin014

Preparing the Main Observing Site

3093	3095	3097	3099	3100
banner010	monitors011		3104	3098
tentframe3034	tent3036	phmsign3046	phmsign3047

Webcasts of 1st and 2nd Contacts

3113

June 8, 2004: Transit of Venus at Sunrise

006 025 031 002 017 003 008 010

Clouds Threaten Third Contact

016

Broadcast of WWV Time Signal, courtesy of Radio Operator John Fleming (W3GQJ)

3106

3108

Clouds Clear

023

024

025

030

Third Contact on Rear Projection Screen

020

afterglow.jpg
Image courtesy of Cathy McCormick.

aligning.jpg
Aligning with moon.

darnell.jpg
Observing the moon

lapierre.jpg
Preparing scopes.

Images courtesy of Don Darnell.

http://www.physics.nd.edu/venus%20at%20phm/index.htm
University of Notre Dame physics students watch the transit of Venus from the PHM site in Mishawaka, IN.

The following table of images are courtesy of Ralph Garhart:

3g001	3g005	3g003	3g010	3g011
3g012	3g014	3g015	3g021	3g025
3g027	3g030	3g035	3g036	3g039
3g041	3g042	3g043	3g044.jpg	3g047
3g054	2g002	2g003	2g005	2g008
2g014	2g025	2g027	2g029	2g034
2g036	2g038	2g045	1g020	1g023
1g029	1g035	1g036	1g037	1g038