We arrived in town about 11:00 and parked near St Valentines Park. Then we walked over the main road for a warming hot coffee to contemplate the wet weather. After the warming drink, we walked around the well preserved Bed and Breakfast Grange and felt the nostalgia associated with this wonderful building.
| The original foundations of the
previous transit equipment were still visible in the grounds as well as
the original rotating roof observatory although this was not in working
condition. Ken, Jon and myself in the old Grange observatory |
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Still with our raincoats on but no rain fortunately, we moved to the grassed park in front of the Grange as people were gathering for the expected unveiling of the memorial sundial at 12pm. The unveiling ceremony went wonderfully well with the Governor of Tasmania Richard Butler trying out the sundial at the finale, although one important factor was missing – the overcast skies blotted out the sun entirely. Speeches before the unveiling of the sundial. |
After proceedings we walked to the Town Hall to view exhibits relating to the Transit. Among them were displays from the Devonport Imaginarium Science Centre and the school children of Campbell Town. The time was approaching 1pm so we decided to head for the viewing area at the Campbell Town Show grounds. Winding our way around the back streets of the town we reach the observation area. Here we found Shevill Mathers and Laurie Priest battling the elements with an amazing amount of Shevill’s equipment. The skies at the time were mostly cloudy with occasional showers mainly concentrated in the morning but still threatening. |
At the time it looked for all the world that the coming Transit would never be seen from our vantage point because of the awful weather. But we as astronomers and amateur astronomers must be resolute in our goals and forge on whatever the conditions. Lance, Jon, Ken and myself watched the scene for sometime and made note of the fact that an ABC reporter had phoned the weather station and said aloud that we should not lose heart as the weather would in fact clear at 3pm. She said it was fine in Hobart but drizzle on the north coast. At 2:30 we decided to setup our scopes in an area south of Shevill’s equipment as indeed the weather did appear to be clearing from the northwest much to the relief of Shevill and Laurie. |
Almost precisely at
3pm the clouds parted with joyous response from the gathered and we waited
with hearts thumping for the imminent arrival of the Venus silhouette against
the sun. Southern Cross News TV cameraman and reporter were interviewing
Lance and Jon at their scopes and approached me with looks of “would you
like to say something in front of the camera?” As it was only minutes before
first contact, under my breath I may have said,”go a-w-a-y”. Nick persisted
and left just in time for me to see first contact – I let out a cheer.
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Transit in progress |
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Lance (right) with his Meade LXD50, 10” telescope with member of the public. |
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Ken and Jon looking at webcam image |
Peter Sayers and telescopes |
I did not dare look at the skies for any cloud build-up as Venus was now halfway into the sun’s limb. Many people had gathered behind our scopes hoping for a look and walking away amazed at seeing this amazing spectacle. As Venus approached second contact we were all intensely looking for the “black drop effect”. All I can say is I thought I may have seen it but it was not very pronounced as history records.We continued to enjoy the scene of the perfectly round black dot of Venus slowly moving across the sun. I took slide photos at various times, others viewed the transit through image stabilising binoculars (amazing technology by the way) with solar filters attached but most people viewed the transit on a large projected image provided by Shevill in one of the showground sheds close to where we were. Occasionally, some thin cloud raced across the sun but did not interfere with our enjoyment of the transit. In fact we were able to view the transit in progress with clear skies right up to the beautiful sunset.At the conclusion of the event, we congratulated each other on a wonderful and successful day and thank you Campbell Town for celebrating this event. Peter Sayers nexstar@ozemail.com.au GO TO PETER'S TRANSIT PICTURES |
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Reflection of myself in the telescope solar filter. The solar filter blocks out all the harmful rays of the sun to allow direct viewing and photography through the telescope. |
Transit sunset |
A last look |
