One of the rarest of astronomical phenomena, a transit of Venus, is to be the subject of a talk by the Isle of Man Astronomical Society’s Howard Parkin at the Henry Bloom Noble Library.

Mr Parkin’s talk will be on Wednesday May 23 ahead of the next transit of Venus – when the planet Venus passes directly between the sun and the Earth – expected to occur on June 5-6  (depending on time zone) this year.

Transit observations have helped scientists calculate the distance between the sun and the Earth. The last transit of Venus took place in June 2004; the next is due in December 2117.

The talk ‘Transit of Venus’ will begin at 7.30pm and is expected to finish by 9pm. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Tickets are free but must be collected in advance from the ground-floor library counter.

The Henry Bloom Noble Library, 10-12 Victoria Street, Douglas. Telephone 696461.

Photo Caption:
Howard Parkin at a talk he gave at the library in November 2011. Picture: Andrew Barton