1. All images and ideas from http://mercury.ras.ac.uk/index.php/2016-04-15-14-33-45/send/2-teacher-resources/1-mercury-transithttp://mercury.ras.ac.uk/index.php/2016-04-15-14-33-45/send/2-teacher-resources/1-mercury-transit Thanks.

2. What is the transit of Mercury? What do we know about Mercury? Mercury passes in front of the Sun.

3. The transit only occurs 13/14 times every 100 years and even then we can’t always see it from the UK. We will need a projector or telescope as Mercury is small compared to the Sun.

4. Several observatories will be showing The transit live. This will give us a clear view of what is happening.

5. Unlike Earth, Mercury does not have an atmosphere, therefore there is nothing to protect the planet. As a result the surface is covered in craters similar to the moon.

6. Mercury is a terrestrial planet. It is the smallest of the inner planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. Image from http://chandra.harvard.edu/resources/illustrations/solarsystem.html http://chandra.harvard.edu/resources/illustrations/solarsystem.html

7. Astronomers estimate that Mercury is made of 70% metals and 30% silicate material. Geologists estimate that its core is very large and mostly iron. Mercury’s core is 42% of its volume, the Earth’s is only 17%. Image from http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/why_mercury/q4.htmlhttp://messenger.jhuapl.edu/why_mercury/q4.html

8. Live Stream http://www.lafayettesciencemuseum.org/even ts/live-stream-transit-of-mercury Next chance 2019 then 2049!