Report

We held a Transit of Mercury viewing session using a Solarscope (simple projection device).  We were lucky with clear skies all day, and despite our “low-tech” equipment, could make out a large irregularly-shaped sunspot, and the planet Mercury, clearly much darker and with a more definite circular shape compared to the sunspot. 

We had planned to use mirror projection as another way to view the transit (we had used this very successfully during the partial eclipse of November 2013) but on this occasion it was difficult to get a large enough and clear enough image.  The light winds also made it difficult to keep the image stable.

We didn’t expect large numbers, it being a Monday during the day, but around 20 visitors came to see the Transit, mainly families with children after school hours, who all really enjoyed seeing the tiny planet!

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    About Me

    I am the weekend events coordinator (voluntary position) at the Planetarium Science Centre, Accra, Ghana. We have 2 types of weekend events - meetings of the Astronomical Society of Ghana, and public events, which may include hands-on activities for children, planetarium show or telescope viewing. I am currently studying astronomy online, and also go into schools presenting science and astronomy sessions.

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    Location:Accra, Greater Accra
    Ghana