Science Saturday

from Getty Images, Ring of Fire Eclipse happens approximately every 18 years.

Looking up into the stars has been something I have always done.  I wasn't always aware of what I was seeing and I wasn't that interested in space or star and planet identification when I was younger.  It wasn't until I moved to New Zealand and saw the stars from the Southern Hemisphere that I really woke up to the idea that what we see out there isn't just a ceiling over our heads, but a vastness, surrounding us with pricks of light that we can actually reach.  So, whether you spot the Southern Cross or the Big Dipper in your sky, don't forget to look up and remember that we are part of this big universe.

There is going to be annular eclipse on 20-21st May. The moon will be eclipsing the sun along a swath of the Western Hemisphere.  http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html
If you live in that space, don't forget to look up (taking all safety precautions of course)  It will look similar to the picture above and it happens approximately every 18 years.

The other thing going on from Earth's perspective, that will be viewable almost Earth-wide, is Venus will traverse across the sun on June 5th. This is amongst the rarest of viewable planetary alignments. It will look like a small spot travelling across the sun.  To watch that, you need something like number 14 welders glasses  (5 or 6 dollars).  The next time Venus does this is 2117.  Chances are, you'll not be around for that one, so here's your chance.  Here is your guide regardless of where you are in the world.  (Thank you, Stevan van Roode and Francois Mignard!)   http://transitofvenus.nl/wp/where-when/local-transit-times/  As you can see from the guide, it takes a really long time for Venus to travel the distance across the sun, so unlike an eclipse, you get a longer window of time to view it and clouds be damned.
Pretty exciting, for a nerdy girl, like me.  I will have to get up really early in the morning to see it, but I will see it!!