Mercury in transit: Planet is pictured as a 'speck' as it passes in front of the Sun during five-hour phenomenon - the last for another 13 years (7 Pics)

Sky watchers around the world have witnessed a rare celestial event today as Mercury has made its regular pass in front of the Sun.   
This event, known as a 'transit', only happens once every 13 years and will be visible from nearly everywhere on Earth with the right equipment and without cloud cover.
The transit started at 11:35 GMT (04:35 PST) and lasts for about 5.5 hours, so there will be plenty of time to catch the show. 
In the UK amateur astronomical societies and public observatories will be running events where members of the public can safely enjoy the transit by viewing it through specialist equipment.  
An image taken by NASA shows Mercury – the closest planet to the Sun – approaching the side of the giant star at the centre of our solar system
An image taken by NASA shows Mercury – the closest planet to the Sun – approaching the side of the giant star at the centre of our solar system
A photographer in Kuwait captured this photograph of Mercury passing in front of a deep red sun today. The planet is the closest to our Sun and can be seen as a tiny black dot between the 10 and 11 o'clock positions of the star
A photographer in Kuwait captured this photograph of Mercury passing in front of a deep red sun today. The planet is the closest to our Sun and can be seen as a tiny black dot between the 10 and 11 o'clock positions of the star
This photograph taken from Washington DC shows the tiny black dot of Mercury passing across the surface of the Sun today
This photograph taken from Washington DC shows the tiny black dot of Mercury passing across the surface of the Sun today
This photo of Mercury passing in front of a perfectly orange Sun was taken from Hédé-Bazouges in France, to north of Nantes in the country's west
This photo of Mercury passing in front of a perfectly orange Sun was taken from Hédé-Bazouges in France, to north of Nantes in the country's west
Mercury completed its transit across the sun around 1:05 PM EST today, as it can be seen on the other side from which it started
Mercury completed its transit across the sun around 1:05 PM EST today, as it can be seen on the other side from which it started
Professor Mike Cruise, President of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: 'Transits are a visible demonstration of how the planets move around the Sun, and everyone with access to the right equipment should take a look.' 
It happens because it is one of only two planets in our solar system that orbit the sun closer than Earth - the other one being Venus. 
On most of its orbits, Mercury passes above or below the Sun as seen from Earth. 
Occasionally, however, the orbits of Earth and Mercury line up in such a way that Mercury passes directly between the Earth and the Sun.
When this happens, Mercury is visible from Earth as a tiny dot - about 0.5 per cent of the diameter of the sun itself.  
'The sky will put on a stellar show, as Mercury crosses in front of the Sun,' said NASA.
'From our perspective on Earth, we can only ever see Mercury and Venus cross in front of, or transit, the Sun, so it's a rare event you won't want to miss!'  
The Met Office said while there will be cloudy skies throughout the day, stargazers in the UK 'should' be able to view at least part of the transit as there will be breaks in the cloud, particularly in the South and East of England. 
Viewers in certain areas, such as the West Coast of the United States, will not be able to see it until the Sun is visible in the sky. 
At approximately 15:20 GMT (08.20 PST) , Mercury will be as close as it is going to get to the centre of the Sun.  
The transit will still be underway as the sun sets in the UK an hour later. 

Mercury can be seen passing the Sun behind mountains in the Van province of Turkey today
Mercury can be seen passing the Sun behind mountains in the Van province of Turkey today
The solar system's smallest, innermost planet will resemble a black round dot (pictured) as it passes in front of our big, bright star on 9 May. The last time Mercury crossed directly between the Earth and sun was in 2016, and it won't happen again until 2032
The solar system's smallest, innermost planet will resemble a black round dot (pictured) as it passes in front of our big, bright star on 9 May. The last time Mercury crossed directly between the Earth and sun was in 2016, and it won't happen again until 2032
With the right safety equipment, viewers nearly everywhere on Earth will be able to see the tiny dark spot moving slowly across the disk of the Sun.  
'Viewing transits and eclipses provide opportunities to engage the public, to encourage one and all to experience the wonders of the universe,' said Mitzi Adams, a solar scientist from NASA.
Scientists have used transits for hundreds of years to study the way planets and stars move in space. 
They are also one of the methods astronomers searching for exoplanets use. It involves looking at the dimming of a star as an orbiting planet passes between it and the Earth. 
Unlike a transit of Venus, where the planet appears large enough to be seen with the naked eye, Mercury is so small that you'll need binoculars or a telescope with a Sun filter to see it.
However, looking at the Sun directly or through a telescope without proper protection can lead to serious and permanent vision damage, so make sure you use a solar filter.

HOW CAN I WATCH THE TRANSIT OF MERCURY? 

Dedicated solar telescope
These telescopes have the filter built in and it is irremovable, making it a particularly safe option. 
Coronado telescopes, for example, allow to you see the sun in hydrogen-alpha, which means that it will appear orange/red. 
Ordinary telescope with filter
If you already own a telescope then you can buy filters that fit onto the front end. 
You should always make sure the filter is attached securely and hold it up to a light bulb before attaching, to check for any damage, such as pinholes, in order to protect your eyes.
Projection through refracting telescope
An alternative to a solar filter is to project an image of the Sun through your telescope onto a piece of white card. 
Add a cardboard shade collar to the telescope itself to mask the rest of the Sun's glare. Use apertures of less than four inches to prevent overheating.
Projection through your binoculars
You can use a similar projection method with binoculars. 
Attach them to a photographic tripod and cover one of the apertures with a lens cap. You'll find the card will need to be quite close to the binocular eyepiece.
How to film the transit
Given that transits of Mercury are reasonably rare many observers are keen to capture the moment as a keepsake. 
Luckily, photographic equipment for astronomy has become relatively cheap and widely available and so this is pretty easy to do, particularly if you are already viewing the transit through a filtered telescope.



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