Space

ISS astronaut first to photograph a Venus transit from space

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
June 2, 2012

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
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June 2, 2012
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Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:
Our Editor-in-Chief Deborah Byrd works to keep all the astronomy balls in the air between EarthSky's website, YouTube page and social media platforms. She's the primary editor of our popular daily newsletter and a frequent host of EarthSky livestreams. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

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