Transit of Venus - 2012

Well the second event of a lifetime is now history: the 2012 Transit of Venus.  We were a bit better prepared for this one than the one in 2004 and our equipment was much better but it was no less 'cool' than last time!  We were fortunate to have a pretty clear day and MST's model Stonehenge made a great spot for viewing the big event.  This is a scale model of the real one in England that was designed at UMR and was a pet project of a previous Chancellor.  The real one is believed to be an ancient observatory.  MST's ancient observatory is behind Stonehenge and was operating for the big event.  I thought the line was going to stretch down to us at one point.  It did not but we did get a few drop-by's, including Tom and Lana VanD and their group.  Josh, an MST student came by with his 3" Dynascope newtonian and chatted awhile and a traveling family from Texas also dropped by.  I got a few 'wows' from visitors at the view through my little ETX.

First contact at about 5:06 pm CDT was thrilling, although probably not as much as first contact of the moon during last month's annular eclipse.  The second contact made a better photo though so I am including it here.  It's the little black dot at about 11:00.  If you examine the photo carefully you should be able to see several sun spots.  I think these are probably the same ones I saw yesterday.  Josh was able to see eleven spots with his young eyes.  The best I could make out at the scope was about six. 
The best part though was when Tom came back and brought us a pizza from Alex's.  Now how great is that?  Alex pizza, Stonehenge, and a once-in-a-lifetime Transit of Venus (well, maybe twice in a lifetime).We packed up our bags and headed home about 7:00.  Mission Accomplished.