transit of venus

[Mark Wright AIA]

Howdy all

The Transit of Venus was the best excuse we've ever had to get the kids
up early and go outdoors. 

We enjoyed the experience. The weather was clear, the air cool and dry,
and it we all just sat there and watched the sunrise, talking. We'd
never done that before. The sunrise itself was majestic enough. Venus
was drifting, right up there, a world as large as our own. Watching a
planet move a visible distance in the span of an hour gave us a
disquieting apprehension of what the size of its orbit must be if it
takes 225 days to complete it's round. We too are dashing along, with
our companion moon leashed and out for a morning run. A Transit of
Earth would be a sight to see, wouldn't it. I think that's almost
reason enough to go to Mars.

We watched in a nearby park with an east-facing slope. A handful of
other celebrants came and went. We were watching naked-eye through
welder's glass. Another fellow brought his two kids and a telescope,
and kindly let us peek too. Watching Venus slide over the edge and back
into the dark was spooky. 

I hope the weather is as good in 2012.

Regards
Mark






	
		
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