Observers in New York City who want to watch the cool Transit of Venus where the planet Venus passes in front of the sun, have several options. Either try to find a place that sell eclipse shades with special safety filters and head out to the best spot to view the sunset or rush to a museum with access to telescopes. The Transit will occur at 6:04p.m. to 6:22p.m.

UPDATED LIVE: Venus Transit 2012 Photos: See Spectacular Images of Venus Passing the Sun


Chance is, most New Yorkers probably don't own a telescope so heading to a museum is the best bet. One place to go is the Intrepid Museum, which is equipped with special solar telescopes operated by amateur astronomers. The event is being held on Pier 86 within the Intrepid Museum Complex and will cost $5 per person. Not bad if you want to catch a glimpse of a phenomenon that happens only once in your lifetime. (The next Transit of Venus will be on 2117!)


Or head on over to the Amateur Astronomer Association of New York which is hosting a viewing session for free. There will be safe-viewing telescopes and cameras available for general use in two locations. One will be at the Riverside Park South on the pier next to pier 1, and the other would be through the park entrance at 14th street and 10th Avenue. There will be a "public starparty" afterwards to see the Moon, Mars, and Saturn.


Viewing sites will also be set up on Union Square.


Columbia University's astronomy department will also have a viewing from a sidewalk on 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard.


NASA will also be streaming the Transit live.  

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