Mercury Transits the Sun (Josh Putnam)

Contains: Solar system body or event

Mercury Transits the Sun

I learned soon after getting into the hobby that Venus had transtitted the sun just a few years earlier. I quickly realized that would be a unique type of photo I could take within my skill level. I just needed a solar filter, and a date. I couldn't help but laugh at the irony upon learning the next transit of Venus wouldn't occur until December 11, 2117! Anyone who is familiar with astronomical events understands that these things all have their own different time scales. Different events occur in different periods throughout time. I arrived just too late for that one, but I will also see events in my lifetime others weren't able to see.

I put the thought aside but only briefly because I stumbled upon news that there would be a transit of MERCURY coming up! Mercury transits the sun much more frequently than Venus, occuring every few years or so. I ordered the protective film and made my own filter for the occasion.

What I really like about this photo is I took a 4" bird-jones with a homemade filter and a cellphone adapter, and came away with a pretty cool photo of a planet passing in front of our sun. I also did it while under time pressure, as I had an appointment that day. I quickly setup and got my scope in the area of the target, but there was a medium cloud cover blocking the sun. But I was patient, and when the clouds cleared for just a moment, it was all I needed to get the picture. I was committed to learning everything I could about how to use the equipment I had and I was working diligently at the hobby. The work was paying off.

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