The purpose of this workshop was to prepare for the next transit of Venus on June 5, 2012, with emphasis on practicing safe observing techniques.  Each participant made a safe viewing device, dubbed a Sun Funnel, and was made aware of the times, places, and techniques to view this celestial alignment.   See www.transitofvenus.org for resources.

The Sun Funnel viewers, which project a solar image onto the rear side of a screen, are simple to make and the materials are readily available.  Detailed instructions for making your own Sun Funnel (http://cdn.transitofvenus.org/docs/Build_a_Sun_Funnel.pdf, or Spanish version) help participants to conduct their own workshops.  One could calculate the size of the expected image of the sun in the viewer, but it is not necessary.  Participants assembled their Sun Funnels with an included eyepiece, which can be inserted in any refracting telescope that uses 1 ½ inch eyepieces. Though the AstroScan reflector telescope will work, refractor telescopes are strongly recommended.  Larger aperture reflecting telescopes should have their apparatuses stepped down significantly to prevent heat buildup and to avoid damage to the secondary mirror holder.

Tools needed for the assembly of the funnel included a screwdriver, a small saw for cutting the oil funnel, a ruler or measuring device, and sandpaper to remove sharp features after the funnel was trimmed.  The directions and pictures are on the website.  The funnels were created without incident, though a first aid kit should be readily available.
Other effective observing techniques were shown during the workshop, including solar shades, a Sunspotter, #14 welding glass, white light solar filters, and hydrogen alpha telescopes.  A value of any solar observing device is that it can also be used to see sunspots, the transits of Venus or Mercury, ISS passes, and solar eclipses.  For a variation of the Sun Funnel, a larger piece of solar screening material was put on 5 gallon PVC buckets, and one screen was placed over a 10-inch plastic flower pot, the latter being part of a sun-dedicated telescope.

One of the astronomical purposes for viewing the transit was to quantify the Astronomical Unit.  Kepler’s laws of planetary motion were used to describe the orbital distances to the planets in Astronomical Units, but the exact distance of the Earth from the sun was not known.  Using the timings of the internal contacts—essentially, converting the duration of the transit into a chord from limb to limb--from various positions on the Earth, astronomers could derive the value of the A.U.  Edmund Halley exhorted his fellow astronomers to embark on international effors when the next pairing of the Transits of Venus came around after his death.  In June of 1761 and 1769, such measurements were made.  The workshop talked about some of the trials and tribulations of efforts to see and record these transits.

Recommended websites for the transit of Venus are:
•    www.transitofvenus.org
•    www.transitofvenus.nl
•    http://sunearthday.nasa.gov

The workshop prepared the participants to view the transit, become aware of the historical efforts to see the transits, and prepare them to do their own scientific measurements. The next transit of Venus will be in 105 years, but not visible from the Great Lakes region—that view will have to wait until December 2125.
The transit of 2004 was a very memorable one for those participating at the parking lot chosen for the central viewing site for Shaker Heights High School and the surrounding communities.  It was a beautiful morning and eight telescopes and safe viewers were available to the nearly 500 people that attended.  The 2004 transit was in progress as the sun rose and the final hours of the transit was witnessed.

After a long day, I (Gene Zajac) returned to teach at the high school.  A member of the faculty, present at the transit that morning, came in to share her thoughts.  She began talking about a field trip to Rome.  She had been one of the chaperones for the students.  As the group was walking around the Vatican, they were caught up in a crowd of visitors which seemed to be walking with a purpose.  They followed along and stopped when the group stopped.  A door opened about 30 feet away and the Pope of the Catholic Church walked out and began a service right in front of her.  Jane is not Catholic but this was THE Pope!!  As she watched the crowd, the hair on the back of her head bristled.  She was awe struck by seeing this happen.  I was wondering what this had to do with the transit of Venus but I did enjoy the story.  She walked over to me and said. “Today, I had that same feeling as I watched you and all of the excited people sharing the Transit of Venus.”  We hugged and she left.

On June 5th of 2012 we have the opportunity to once again experience this event.  One never knows what effect our efforts may have on someone.  Good viewing to all.

Gene Zajac
Twinsburg, OH
zajac_g "at" shaker .org

Chuck Bueter

Granger, IN
bueter "at" nightwise .org