Transit of Venus Obscured by Cloud Cover in Lorton
The Occoquan Town Council still met outside at 7 p.m., as was originally planned so that Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta could watch the transit.
Those who hoped to see the transit of Venus from the Occoquan and Lorton areas were disappointed tonight, as clouds covered the sun only minutes before the transit was set to start.
Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta set up his telescope on a grassy hill overlooking Vulcan Materials on Ox Road in Lorton. Though the sky was partially cloudy shortly before 6 p.m., the sun was still visible in the lens until about 6 p.m., when thick clouds covered the sun until sundown. The transit began at about 6:03 p.m.
Porta, an amateur astronomer, uses an eight inch SCT telescope, which tonight was equipped with solar filters to shield the eyes of those interested in observing the transit.
A small crowd of about 25 people gathered, but they slowly dispersed as it became evident that the transit would not be visible from the Lorton area.
The outdoor Occoquan Town Council meeting began at 7 p.m. Council member Denise Bush said that the town budget was one of the main items on the agenda for tonight.
Lauren Jost
10:26 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Was anyone able to view it on the NASA live stream or elsewhere in Virginia?
Rachel Leon
11:31 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
I watched it on the NASA live stream!
Earnie Porta
1:07 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thanks for covering this Rachel. We had a modest break in the clouds during the council meeting, which resulted in a handful of people being able to get a brief look at the transit through the telescope. I very much appreciated everyone's good spirits even though the weather was not cooperating.
Rachel Leon
1:28 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Oh, I'm glad you did get to see it for a bit!