View rare astronomical event at BBCC

MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College astronomy classes will provide a safe way for the public to view a rare astronomical phenomenon Tuesday.

The "transit of Venus" will be visible in central Washington beginning at 3 p.m., said astronomy instructor Jim Hamm. The transit of Venus involves the planet crossing between the earth and the sun, with the silhouette of Venus visible on the face of the sun, Hamm said.

It's so rare that the last one in this area was in 1882 (there was one in 2004, but it wasn't visible from central Washington), and the next one won't be visible here until 2117, Hamm said.

However. "It is not safe to view without a solar filter," Hamm said. Astronomy classes will set up two telescopes with filters, and third telescope that projects the sun's image onto a paper using "eyepiece projection." The transit will be visible until sunset.

People who want more information can contact Hamm at the college.