See the Venus Transit Tonight

Venus will transit across the sun's surface today, June 5, for a few hours, making for a spectacular show. Venus will pass directly between the earth and the sun, appearing as a small black dot gliding slowly along the sun's surface. It begins at 4:04 p.m. this afternoon, and will last about six hours. There are several safe ways to view the rare event. You won't want to miss this one, as the next one won't occur until December of 2117.

Here's where you can see it locally:

In the Old Town area, on the sidewalks between Explora and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The amateur astronomers of TAAS, the Albuquerque Astronomical Society, will provide telescopes for this free event.

At the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, with museum admission.

At the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, with the New Mexico Philharmonic. This event requires purchase of a ticket to the musical show, which will feature Holst's The Planets Suite and E.T. and Star Wars Suites.

UNM Campus Observatory, beginning at 4 p.m. There is limited free parking by the observatory, but there will be paid covered parking at the parking garage near the intersection of Yale and Lomas. The observatory will have two telescopes set up for safely viewing the event, as well as a projected image.

At Coronado State Monument, where the Rio Rancho Astronomical Society will have telescopes set up. This is a free event. Telescopes will be set up beginning at 2 p.m. Special eclipse glasses will be for sale for $2 a pair to allow for safe viewing.

Here's where you can see the transit virtually:

The Slooh Space Camera will be broadcasting live, with 12 - 15 feeds coming in from around the world.

There are free apps for those who want to watch from their handheld.

Find out more about how to safely see the transit.

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