Transit of Venus 2012: How You Can Watch

Don't worry, just because the weather may be bad, doesn't mean you have to miss the extremely rare transit of Venus, Tuesday evening, June 5.

Though the weather is expected to be cloudy locally, there are plenty of live webcast viewing options so you can still watch the exciting celestial event. Check out the ones we've found below:

• Coca Cola Space Science Center, Columbus Ga.
• NASA EDGE
• SLOOH

Also, download the transit of Venus phone app to send your observations of the event to Astronomers Without Borders.

If the clouds clear in time, here are some safe viewing techniques from TransitofVenus.org to remember:

• Don't think sunglasses are sufficient protection when viewing the transit event;
• Do wear eclipse shades or a #14 shade welder's shield;
• Do create pinhole projectors if you don't have proper shades - the viewing won't be as good, but they will allow you to see the event safely. Find instructions for making the projectors on the Exploratorium;
• Do project the image of the sun with binoculars, as also demonstrated by the Exploratorium.