Transit Of Venus

[The Cypher]

When a planet "transits" what does that mean?

Cypher = Truely Noob.

And does that affect any surrounding planets in any way?

[01101001]

When a planet "transits" what does that mean?

Wikipedia: Astronomical transit

A transit is the astronomical event that occurs when one celestial body appears to move across the face of another celestial body, as seen by an observer at some particular vantage point.

And does that affect any surrounding planets in any way?

It's an act of 3 parties, two actors and an observer. So minus the observer, minus just you or I looking, it's just 2 bodies moving like 2 bodies move.

If observers see it, the observers are awed, or impressed, or happy, or curious, or whatever. That's about the only effect.

[The Cypher]

Thank you agian, and how long does will this Transit of Venus last?

Would it look like an eclipse?

[01101001]

Thank you agian, and how long does will this Transit of Venus last?

Would it look like an eclipse?

It takes about a quarter of a day. It doesn't look much like an eclipse because the Sun is huge and Venus is tiny.

National Solar Observatory: Venus Passage describes it, shows some schematics, shows Venus's path marked with times, and relative sizes.



Here's a cool transit picture from ESA: Report on transit activities:

[Kaptain K]

The next Venus transit is June 5th, 2012. If you want to see a Venus transit, this will be your only chance. The next two will be in December 2117 and December 2125 (they occur in pairs eight years apart).