Artemis II made history in April when the Orion spacecraft flew behind the moon.
Now there’s another major “behind the moon” moment coming, but this event involves a member of our Solar System and not astronauts in a capsule.
It’s that old second-planet-from-the-sun, our friend Venus, and it has a co-starring role with our lunar satellite beginning just before noon Pacific time on June 17.
Say hello to the Venus Occultation of the Moon, which will find “Venus disappearing behind the Moon and reappearing just over an hour later.”
As you might expect, Griffith Observatory scientists will watching this cosmic occurrence closely.
The twist? The observatory team shares that viewing this rather poetic event, and an event that most definitely boasts a lyrical name, will be “difficult for most people” to discern… alas.
But the observatory’s powerful telescopes will capture video of the June 17 pass-behind, good news. And the good news continues: That video will be shared with the public the following day via Youtube.
Important to note: The viewing of this event is not, repeat not open to the public. True, the observatory is open on Wednesdays around the middle of the day, but the telescopes capturing the occultation will not be available to visitors.
Your best bet to connect with this astronomically awesome happening? Check out Youtube June 18 for commentary and video and keep an eye on Griffith Observatory’s social pages for any updates.
There will be an opportunity to look through telescopes set up on the observatory lawn during the free Public Star Party on June 20. While the Venus event will have concluded, visitors will be able to check out interesting space phenomena with a bevy of astronomers and astronomy buffs standing by to answer questions and point out areas of interest.