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TONIGHT: Best Places To Watch Transit Of Venus In NYC
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 5, 2012
Modified Jun 29, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 5, 2012
Modified Jun 29, 2012
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Tonight Venus (the planet, not the razor) will pass over the sun, and you will be able to see it in all its Black Drop Effect glory around sunset. Anyone can watch the transit of Venus (and you should, because Americans won't be able to until 2125) so long as they're from a high vantage point facing west. But here are a few options so see it in style, and to prevent the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark from happening to your eyeballs.
The Amateur Astronomer Association is setting up shop with solar viewing telescopes, pinhole cameras, and projection equipment at Riverside Park South and the High Line. The event is free, and there will be a "public starparty" to see the Moon, Mars, and Saturn afterwards. To our knowledge, it's the only time the word "starparty" has even been used to describe an event not involving Mario Lopez or a middle school student being beaten with his own telescope.
Or join the Columbia Astronomy department in Harlem at 125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, or Union Square at 14th Street & Broadway from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The Intrepid Museum will have solar telescopes on Pier 86 in the museum complex from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., but admission is $5. (Space, like Freedom, is not free.)
If you can't pry yourself away from Netflix, NASA will be livestreaming the whole thing.
Tagged
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intrepid
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transit of venus
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Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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