Dawn is as good as it gets for Venus transit
Transit of Venus Port Hedland 2012 - see bottom left of Sun - photo courtesy of Rob Whitehead
The world’s last opportunity for more than 100 years to see the planet Venus transit across the Sun occurred last Thursday, June 6, but for Pilbara residents keen to witness the spectacular phenomenon, pre dawn rising was an absolute must.
Despite our region’s capacity for day after day of perfect winter weather, this particular morning brought the most clouds and, in Karratha, most rain since cyclone season.
In Port Hedland, residents were able to catch a glimpse of the sun as it came up shortly after 6.30am, before it disappeared behind thick cloud several minutes later.
Local resident Rob Whitehead had intended to photograph the transit at length; however, he too was at the mercy of the forecast.
“The sunrise was really spectacular, with Venus beginning its transit just as the Sun rose above the horizon,” Mr Whitehead said.
“I’m glad that I got a couple of shots in the first minute though, because after that the sun retreated behind the clouds for the rest of the morning.
“Being in the Pilbara in June, I was pretty confident we’d get good viewing conditions; unfortunately, this time, definitely not!”
Mr Whitehead says that despite the overcast conditions, he found the experience well worth waking up for.
His sunrise photographs of Pretty Pool’s east facing beach landscape were also perhaps worth his time, Venus transit or not.
Mr Whitehead took his photos of the planet Venus crossing the Sun on a Canon 5D Mark II and used photographic techniques which allowed him to shoot the sun without looking directly into it.
Venus will next transit the Sun in 2117.
Be there or…not.
Tags: Echo, hedland, Karratha, News, Pilbara, pilbaranews, Port Hedland, sun, venus, venus transit
