UVa-Wise to host presentation, viewing of transit of Venus

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise will mark next week’s transit of Venus with an evening presentation on Monday, June 7, followed by a viewing of the event at sunrise on Tuesday, June 8.

Among the rarest of planetary alignments, Venus last passed between the sun and Earth on Dec. 6, 1882. There have only been 52 transits since 2000 B.C. Throughout the centuries, early scientists and astronomers have used these events to help gauge the size of the solar system.

Mitchell Gordon, an astrophysicist who recently joined the UVa-Wise faculty as an assistant professor of physics and astronomy, will discuss the transit during a free public presentation on Monday, June 7. The free event begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Science Center lecture hall.

The transit can be viewed beginning at sunrise on Tuesday, June 8. Gordon and Phil C. Shelton, professor emeritus of biology, will lead participants in a guided viewing session of the celestial event. Telescopes will be available. Participants should meet outside the Science Center just before sunrise.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.