Some 1,500 Icelanders observed the transit of Venus across the Sun from the top of the hill Öskjuhlíð last night.
As reported, last night between 22:00 and 4:00, the silhouette of Venus could be observed from Iceland as it traversed in front of the Sun. The astronomical event is something which happens only once every 243 years, with pairs of transits eight years apart separated by long gaps of 121.5 years and 105.5 years.
Iceland, being far enough north at this time of year to be experiencing near-perpetual sunlight, was one of a few ideal locations in the world to observe the transit. In fact, the Astronomical Society of Seltjarnarnes set up special telescopes on the hill Öskjuhlíð – where the restaurant Perlan sits – and invited the general public to come watch the event.
As it turned out, the idea was a popular one, as RÚV reports that some 1,500 went to the hill to observe the transit. The Astronomical Society’s website has some remarkable photos of the transit on display.
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