Venus neareth

Venus as seen by the sun-observing satellite SOHO.  In this picture, the sun is blocked by a disk, and the white circle indicates the location of the Sun.  The trails on either side of Venus are artifacts - the planet is so bright, it dazzles the camera.  Image Credit: ESA/NASA

The planet Venus is only four hours away from its date crossing the face of the Sun.  Here are some last minute links and reminders:

• Do you like old radio shows?  Relic Radio has posted an episode of a 1957 science fiction show called The Merchant of Venus in celebration of the transit.
• Want to see the transit in person?  NASA's Sun-Earth Day website has a link to events around the globe.
• Cloudy or night where you are?  Watch the transit online!  Here are a handful of links to webcasts; I'm sure there are many, many more:
• NASA EDGE broadcasting from Mauna Kea, Hawaii, starting at 9:45pm UTC (5:45pm Eastern Daylight Time)
• Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network will broadcast from Haleakala in Hawaii
• The SLOOH SpaceCamera with images from around the world
• Live in northeast Texas?  Come to our public viewing at Texas A&M University - Commerce.
• In the DC area?  Check out a Venus viewing at NASA Goddard Visitor Center.  I know a couple of people there, so feel free to give them a hard time.
• (Added later) SAFETY FIRST!!  Do not, under any circumstances, look at the sun without appropriate safety equipment.  Sunglasses (even multiple pairs) are NOT safe.  Here is a list of safe and unsafe ways to view the transit from transitofvenus.org