Today's Image

Airplane crosses sun’s face

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Deborah Byrd

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May 9, 2016

View larger. | Photo taken May 8, 2016 by Helio C. Vital.

Helio C. Vital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, wrote late Sunday night:

Brazil will be in the front row to watch the whole transit of Mercury on Monday.

This photo shows the sun less than 16 hours before Mercury starts to pass in front of our vital star. To make things even more exciting, as I was filming the sun in preparation for Monday’s rare event, a plane just happened to transit it, like Mercury will be doing. How nice!

Tomorrow will certainly be a busy day of observation.

Sony Cyber-Shot HX300 camera on tripod

Thank you, Helio!

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May 9, 2016

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Today's Image

Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:

Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. 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 in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. 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.