by Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard

The historic transit of Venus on June 8, 2004 will be celebrated with a huge event in the famous Frognerparken in Oslo, Norway. It is one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. Last year more than 20 000 people celebrated the large solar eclipse early in the morning of May 31 in the same park. There will also be a live webcast on www.astronomy.no.

For just over 6 hours Venus can be seen on the solar disk. Nobody living today has seen this before! Illustration: astronomy.no

The famous statue "Sinnataggen" in the Frognerpark was also well equiped. Photo: Terje Fredvik

On June 8, 2004 we will experience one of the most remarkable and important celestial phenomenona. For more than 6 hours the planet Venus will be visible in front of the Sun. No living person anywhere on the Earth has seen this before! This will even be the first time in history that everyone can follow the transit with their own eyes using eclipse glasses.

The transit of Venus will be celebrated with a major event in one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. The public can enjoy the transit with eclipse glasses, telescopes and live images from several locations around Norway, displayed on a 40 m2 screen. In this national event there will also be lots of other activities and the final in a national science competition for children.

This spring pupils and others are encouraged to measure the size of the Earth and then, on June 8, use the transit to measure the distance to the Sun! Information and registration forms are found on www.astronomy.no.

More than 20 000 people came to the famous Frognerparken to experience the eclipse last year. Photo: Anna Kathinka Dalland Evans

THE VENUE The public (we expect thousands) and media are invited to enjoy the transit, experiments, a planetarium, activities, competitions and much more. Many organisations of science and technology will participate. Our goal is to offer a unique way to experience a unique and important phenomenon. The magnificent Frognerparken in Oslo is a perfect place to witness the historic event, in the midst of the sculptures of Vigeland. Early June is the most beautiful time of year in Norway. After a long winter, nature explodes in a firework of colours and shapes. The venue is Norways largest tourist attraction, the unique Vigeland sculpture park. Created by Norways most famous sculptor, the many statues is a celebration of life and humanity.

Some main attractions (in addition to the transit itself):

- Telescopes and other equipment for safe viewing of the transit and the Sun (before and after transit).
- Sale of eclipse glasses and information about the eclipse.
- Stands with displays and activities. Organisations with connection to the event, natural sciences and technology will have stands.
- A large video screen showing the transit as seen from Oslo and other cities in Norway. Very special equipment will be used to send magnificent images from a location with superb weather conditions. The equipment will be moved with a hired air plane to find the optimal spot.
- Sale of astronomical articles, stands for children of all ages. The activities will be related to natural sciences and technology.
- A large mobile planetarium. The dome is 6 meters tall and can hold 70-100 people.

Free entrance!

Official logo for the Norwegian event and activities before the transit.

Preliminary opening hours (local time):
Monday June 7: 14.00 - 21.00 (2 - 9 pm)
Tuesday June 8: 06.30 - 15.00 (06.30 am - 3 pm)

Transit of Venus (tuesday) from Oslo:
First contact: 07.19
Second contact: 07.39
Third contact: 13.02
Fourth contact: 13.22

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