A celestial rarity will take place next week, and the Nanaimo Astronomy Society will be at Maffeo Sutton Park to help people view it.
From 3-7 p.m. Tuesday (June 5), Venus will pass between the Earth and the sun, an event that won't happen here again until the year 2117, and the astronomy society will have volunteers at the park equipped with protective glasses and telescopes with solar filters so members of the public can watch Venus transit the sun safely.
The transit will begin at 3:06 p.m. and volunteers will be available from 2:30 p.m. until dark.
People are warned not to look at the sun with unfiltered binoculars, telescopes or the naked eye, as doing so can cause permanent eye damage.
For more details on the event, please e-mail webmaster@nanaimoastronomy.com or phone 250-740-0472.