Transit of Mercury Viewing at Kopernik

The classic rock band, The Police sang about a “a little black spot on the sun today” and it is really happening for the first time in several years.

May 9, Mercury is moving directly between the Earth and Sun from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Observers should not look directly at the Sun or use a telescope without a special solar filter.

The phenomenon can be viewed safely at Kopernik Observatory on Underwood Road in Vestal.

The next transit of Mercury across the sun will not be until November 2019.

Admission is $5 adult, $3 student and senior and $16 for families. Kopernik members get in free.

For more information and weather conditions call (607) 748-3685.  Complete program information for the observatory can be found at www.kopernik.org.