<p>Scores of people thronged the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium on Monday to witness the ‘Transit of Mercury’, a rare celestial spectacle when Mercury passes between the Earth and the Sun.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The astronomical event began at 4.43 pm and was witnessed until sunset through several viewing facilities installed at the planetarium. Mercury was spotted as a small black dot with the Sun in the background.<br /><br />Many were, however, confused as a spot on the Sun also appeared similar. This, however, was later clarified by the staff.<br /><br />Many had to wait to witness the event as a building under construction near the planetarium blocked the view. The transit could be viewed with the help of telescopes and sunspotter.<br /><br />Ahead of the Transit of Mercury, a series of workshops were also conducted. The last time Bengaluru witnessed the event was in 2003, according to the director of the planetarium, B S Shylaja.<br /><br />Live telecast of the transit from four places – Pune, Mumbai, Srinagar and Udaipur – was displayed at the planetarium. These arrangements were made as the city had witnessed rains for the last few days.</p>
<p>Scores of people thronged the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium on Monday to witness the ‘Transit of Mercury’, a rare celestial spectacle when Mercury passes between the Earth and the Sun.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The astronomical event began at 4.43 pm and was witnessed until sunset through several viewing facilities installed at the planetarium. Mercury was spotted as a small black dot with the Sun in the background.<br /><br />Many were, however, confused as a spot on the Sun also appeared similar. This, however, was later clarified by the staff.<br /><br />Many had to wait to witness the event as a building under construction near the planetarium blocked the view. The transit could be viewed with the help of telescopes and sunspotter.<br /><br />Ahead of the Transit of Mercury, a series of workshops were also conducted. The last time Bengaluru witnessed the event was in 2003, according to the director of the planetarium, B S Shylaja.<br /><br />Live telecast of the transit from four places – Pune, Mumbai, Srinagar and Udaipur – was displayed at the planetarium. These arrangements were made as the city had witnessed rains for the last few days.</p>
