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    MATERIAL FROM CLASS 4: Monday September 18

    On November 8 2006, Mercury will pass (transit) across the face of the Sun:

  • NASA site for the 2006 transit of Mercury
    From the 2003 transit: the elongated dark spot is a sunspot
    [2003 transit of Mercury]

    Here are the phases of venus as observed in 2002. As Venus emerges from behind the Sun (below) it is far from Earth, small, and nearly 'full'. As it comes round towards Earth, it gets closer and appears larger, but we see less of the lit-up face. The lit-up side always faces the Sun!

    [phases of Venus in 2002]