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May 2003 is a very special month for Astronomy.

Transit of Mercury

On Wednesday the 7^th, the planet Mercury will be seen travelling across the solar disc. This will be best observed with a telescope adapted for solar observing, either by projection or with a specialised solar filter. It is essential that you refer to www.mreclipse.com for safety precautions while observing the Sun. The so-called Transit of Mercury will start at 6:11 and end at 11:31 BST.

Total Eclipse of the Moon

On Friday the 16^th, there will be a total lunar eclipse, starting at 3:03 BST. As seen from the UK, the Moon will set totally eclipsed.

Annual Eclipse of the Sun and AAE AGM!!

Finally, on Saturday the 31^st, the UK will see a 50% eclipsed rising Sun. The partial eclipse will finish at about 5:30. From the north of Scotland, the Orkney and Shetland islands, the eclipse will be annular from 4:46 to 4:48 BST, approx. This means that the Moon's disc will be too small to obscure the edge of the Sun, so the climax of the event will be a perfect ring of sunlight shining around the black disc of the Moon. It is essential that you refer to www.mreclipse.com for safety precautions while observing the Sun. 

The AAE will be holding its AGM on Orkney, in conjunction with the British Association of Planetaria, to mark this amazing event.  For details contact the Secretary.

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