29 May 2004	Saturday	09 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, May 28: Transit of Venus, a unique and rare astronomical event, is scheduled to occur on June 8. According to Met office here on Friday, in Karachi it would be visible for more than six hours, from 1017 hours to 1622 hours.

For other parts of the country, the above time would apply with difference within (-21) seconds for cities east of Karachi and within (+15) seconds for cities west of Karachi.

The entire transit would be visible from across Europe, entire Asia except eastern parts, entire Africa except western and southern parts. Transit of planet is of great importance for scientists as it helps precisely measure the earth-sun distance and also to discover extra-solar planets.

The event occurs in pairs after 121.5 years and 105.5 years alternatively. The previous pair took place on December 09, 1874, and December 06, 1882. The current pair of transit would take place on June 8 and June 6, 2012. Next pair would take place on December 11, 2117 and December 08, 2125.

The Met office has advised the people who want to observe the event to use solar filter glass or welding filter glass grade-14 or higher to escape damages to their eyes. -APP