Space

ISS astronaut first man in space to photograph a Venus transit

International Space Station ISS astronaut Don Pettit plans to make observations and take photos of the 2012 transit of Venus on June 5-6, 2012 – the last transit of Venus in our lifetimes. NASA says it will be posting the Venus transit photos as soon after the event as possible, and we’ll be posting them here. This great ScienceCast from NASA explains more.

View from space: Venus edging closer to sun prior to transit!

NASA says:

Pettit will be pointing his camera through the side windows of the space station’s cupola, an ESA-built observatory module that provides a wide-angle view of Earth and the cosmos. Its seven windows are used by the crew to operate the station’s robotic arm, coordinate space dockings, and take science-grade photos of the Earth and sky. It’s also a favorite hangout for off-duty astronauts who find the view exhilarating.

Bottom line: ISS astronaut Don Pettit will observe and take photos of the transit of Venus on June 5-6. International Space Station Expedition 31 crew will be the first people ever to see a Venus transit from space. Don Pettit will be the first to photograph one. We’ll be posting the photos here as soon as they’re available.

Everything you need to know: Venus transit on June 5-6

What’s the best way to view the transit of Venus safely?

NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Expedition 31 flight engineer, takes pictures out one of Cupola windows on the International Space Station while the crew members were preparing for May 25, 2012 grapple and berthing of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA
Posted 
June 2, 2012
 in 
Space

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Deborah Byrd

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