Last Chance: A Celestial Event, Life Transition

Today you'll have the last opportunity in your lifetime to witness the transit of Venus. Granted, the weather may prevent you from seeing it, but we wanted you to be aware just in case. After all, the next transit of Venus won't happen until 2117.

The transit of Venus occurs when Venus passes between Earth and the sun. Because of the size of Venus, it doesn't completely block the sun, but it does create a visual spectacle. Check out the video accompanying this article for a simulation.

"At 6:18 pm, the transit begins if there aren't cloudy skies," said amateur astronomer Jim Bencivenga of Ashland. "It takes 6-plus hours for the transit, but if skies are clear, looking west-northwest into the sun with proper filters, you'll see a small black circle in the 10 p.m.area if the sun were a clock. Should be so cool. We won't see the full transit here on the east coast but we will see some of it."

Word of caution, if the sun does happen to peek out Tuesday for the event, DO NOT look directly at the sun with your naked eye, through binoculars or a telescope, or even with regular sunglasses. You'll need a strong filter (#14 welder's glass) to make it safe.