Venus is making its final trip over the sun this century, and South Floridians are gathering Tuesday night to watch this rare celestial event.
Venus will first cross over the sun at 6:05 p.m. and complete its journey by 8:03 p.m., making it appear as if there's a small black dot moving across the sun. Venus last made this trek in 2004, and it will not happen again until 2117.
However, as with a solar eclipse, staring into the sun to catch a glimpse of Venus without any eye protection could damage your vision. NASA suggests using a No. 14 welder's glass for safe viewing, and there are also 'eclipse shades' that have special filters. A DIY solution is to make pinhole projectors, but they're not going to allow you to see all the details of the planet's transit.
And if you can't get out of the office in time or if Miami's ongoing gray days cover up the sun, check out NASA's live webcast of Venus's transit from its Hawaii observatory, beginning at 5:45 p.m. EST.
Read on for where to watch Venus cross over the sun in South Florida:
Florida International University
11200 SW Eighth St. in Miami
6 p.m. to sunset
Free
The university’s physics department will set up telescopes on the fourth floor of the red parking garage, to the right of the Southwest 109th Avenue entrance.
Miami Science Museum
3280 South Miami Ave. in Miami
6 to 9 p.m.
Free (for members only)
Watch the transit live while sitting in the planetarium's theater and enjoying refreshments and snacks. Also, word has it that a special guest will be attending the viewing as well. Don't forget to RSVP.
Zoo Miami
12400 SW 152nd St. in Miami
6 to 8 p.m.
Free
The Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS) is offering a public viewing of the transit at the zoo’s western parking lot.
Buehler Planetarium at Broward College
3501 Davie Road in Davie
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Free
Planetarium staff will open up the observatory to watch the transit until sunset, then a show at 7:15 p.m. that explains the physics behind the astronomical event and its significance. The show will also be played at 4:15 p.m. before the transit.
Markham Park
16001 W. State Road 84 in Sunrise
5:30 p.m. to sunset
Free
The South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association is gathering to watch the transit at the top of the park's levee, L-35A.
PHOTOS: The world watches Venus's 2004 transit. Later Tuesday night, check back for user-submitted photos of the planet's latest move:
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