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Spectacular clear blue skies in Sydney – unfortunately perhaps as this is the worst drought I have ever seen. Watched it all the way to the horizon through a Plath Classic. Very distinct black spot moving slowly across disc of the sun. About half way across by sunset. Even got my wife and teenage daughters to take a look while I explained the significance to Australians of the transit of Venus viewed by Cook in Tahiti.

Except for that astronomical event I would probably be writing this in French. Merde! That was a close one.

Kieran Kelly

Sydney

Australia

-----Original Message-----
From: Navigation Mailing List [mailto:NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM]On Behalf Of Lee Martin
Sent: Tuesday, 8 June 2004 4:57 PM
To: NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM
Subject: My View of the Transit of Venus

It has been drought here in southern NSW, Australia. Total of 40mm of rain in the last 6 months, crystal clear days and nights, week after week as we slip into winter.

Today, low cloud, building and breaking during the day. The transit commenced around 3.14.33pm local time (EST)....heavy cloud blocked all view.

Intermittent rays of sunshine for the next hour and a bit. Teasing.

Then at around 4.20pm, the clouds around the sun cleared for a little less than  5 minutes. Only time enough to take in the phenomena.  An absolutely brilliant view of the transit through my sextant telescope and shades. While I had looked at animations of the transit, I had not expected the shape of venus to be so "definite" on the sun's surface.

At 4.30 the sun disappeared completely behind clouds and then the local hills.

So, how did others fare?

Lee Martin