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Bhopal admires Venus transit

By Our Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL, JUNE 8 . Thousands of Bhopal residents made a beeline for the Regional Science Centre at Shyamla Hills this afternoon to watch the rare transit of Venus as it came closest to Earth during a six hour journey with the Sun forming a perfect backdrop.

Special arrangements had been made at the Regional Science Centre (RSC) for the citizens eager to watch the rare cosmic event. The RSC Project Coordinator, Prabal Roy, told The Hindu that today's transit of Venus was a rare event since it was occurring after a gap of 122 years. Moreover it is only for the seventh time that this rare phenomenon is being witnessed in the history of mankind, he pointed out.

Mr. Roy said that this event does not have any relevance in terms of astrology and advised people not to lend their ears to astrologers when it comes to interpreting such an event. He said that the large turnout of people at the RSC to watch the transit of Venus speaks volumes of their scientific temper and also corroborates the fact that the Centre's activities are now closely linked with the community.

The six hour journey of Venus, when it came closest to Earth, was witnessed by people between 10.46 am and 4.50 pm. The weather Gods today chose to play hide and seek and the Sun repeatedly kept hiding behind the pre-monsoon clouds. However the Venus gazers had all the patience and remained glued around the special telescope that had been set up at the RSC's entrance to show the visitors the celestial event. People here were particularly excited as it had been reported that Obaidullaganj, which is not far from Bhopal, would be the closest to Venus than any other place on Earth.

Those who had thronged the RSC, children as well as adults, were seen using special solar eclipse glasses, and pin-hole cameras, besides the specially installed telescope to view the rare event.

Earlier this morning a science quiz was held for children and a special lecture was also delivered to educate people about the rare event.

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