2019 Transit of Mercury

Date: November 11, 2019
Time: Morning and early afternoon
Location: Coast-to-coast

On November 11, 2019, Mercury will be passing between the Earth and the Sun. From our view here on Earth, that means we'll see a little black spot slowly crossing the disc of the Sun. However, because Mercury is so small, you won't be able to see it just with solar-filtered eclipse glasses.

You know how you're never supposed to look at the Sun because it'll blind you? That goes doubly for looking at the Sun through any magnifying device, like binoculars or a telescope. However, some binos and scopes have filters on the front that block out enough sunlight that you can safely look through them. If you're going to observe the transit, make sure that you are using solar-filtered binoculars or telescopes, not just any old telescope!

Because of the slight difference in the orbits of Mercury and the Earth, Mercury transits only happen about 13 times per century. The next one isn't until 2032, so you'll want to see this one! Find local RASC events below where RASC members will have solar-filtered telescopes set up so you can see the tiny dot of Mercury traversing the Sun.

Please note that many events below will be weather-dependent. Events may not be run if the weather is cloudy.

Download a handout on the transit here!

 

Transit of Mercury Event Listing


Calgary, AB

Calgary Centre

Location: 2 locations! Ralph Klein Park and Nose Hill Park

Time: 7:04 - 11:04am

Click here for more information.

 

Guelph, ON

Kitchener-Waterloo Centre

Location: 2 locations! Johnson Green at Guelph University and Centennial Arboretum Centre at the Guelph Arboretum

Time: 11am - 1pm

 

Kitchener, ON

Kitchener-Waterloo Centre

Location: Carl Zehr Square (Kitchener City Hall)

Time: 8am - 1pm

Observing will be hosted by Kitchener-Waterloo Centre member Jim Goetz.

 

London, ON

Location: Hume Cronyn Memorial  Observatory

Time: 7:30 am - 1:30 pm

More info can be found here:

As well as via our Facebook event

 

Mississauga, ON

Mississauga Centre

Location: Riverwood Conservation Area

Time: 9am - 1pm

Click here for more information.

 

Montreal, QC

Montreal Centre

Location: John Abbott College Oval

Time: 7:30am - 1pm

Click here for more information.

 

Ottawa, ON

Ottawa Centre

Location: City Hall Plaza

Time: TBA

Check back soon for more information.

 

Regina, SK

Regina Centre

Location: Wascana Hill in Douglas Park

When: November 11, 2019 8:05 a.m.  – 12:04 p.m.

More info can be found here.

 

Saskatoon, SK

Saskatoon Centre

Location: 2 locations! Riverlanding west of the Traffic Bridge, and University of Saskatchewan Observatory

Time: 9am - 12pm

Click here for more information.

 

St Catharine's, ON

Niagara Centre

Location: S.C.V.F.A Park (Fireman's Park)

Time: 6am - 2pm

Click here for more information.

 

St John's, NL

St John's Centre

Location: Signal Hill Parking Lot

Time: 12:30pm to 2:30pm

Click here for more information.

 

Sunshine Coast, BC

Sunshine Coast Centre

Location: Roberts Creek Pier

Time: 7am - undetermined

Click here for more information.

 

Thunder Bay, ON

Thunder Bay Centre

Location: Terry Fox Monument

Time: Sunrise

This event will be very casual.

 

Waterloo, ON

Kitchener-Waterloo Centre

Location: Waterloo Public Square

Time: 10am - 1pm

 

Waterloo, ON

Kitchener-Waterloo Centre

Location: Gustov Bakos Observatory (University of Waterloo)

Time: TBD

Observation will be done with the Observatory's telescope.

 

https://rasc.ca/sites/default/files/arimages/MercuryTransit1940.jpg

November 11, 1940: RASC Victoria members set up solar-filtered telescopes to observe the Transit of Mercury