"Transit of Venus" Viewing

The St. Petersburg College Observatory opens its doors to the public tonight (weather permitting) to watch a rare celestial event: the planet Venus passing across the sun. This event will not occur again until 2117.

To protect your eyesight, experts warn against looking directly at the sun during this event. Telescopes equipped with special filters will be available for tonight's viewing.

If you are unable to attend, other adequate eye protection includes special solar-eclipse glasses from a museum, welding glasses (number 14 or darker), or a pinhole projector with cardboard, according to a story in the Associated Press.