Australian Astronomy - Astronomical Society of Australia

Astronomy Factsheets

No. 12: Transit of Mercury, 7 May 2003

The planet Mercury will appear to pass in front of the disc of the Sun on the afternoon of Wednesday 7 May 2003. Australian will be able to see this rare event from 3.14pm Eastern Standard Time until local sunset. This event will be a forerunner to the transit of Venus in June 2004.

Although people across the country will witness at least part of the event, the most favoured locations are those in the far north and west, where the Sun sets later. For example, from Hobart, the Sun sets at 5.07pm local time - less than two hours after the transit begins. From Perth, however, where the transit begins at 1.14pm local time (due to the difference in time zones), sunset takes place a full four hours and 20 minutes later.

From much of Asia, eastern Africa, eastern Europe and the Indian Ocean, the Sun will be above the horizon for the entire transit, which lasts for 5 hours and 19 minutes.