A Transit of Mercury across the Sun takes place when the planet Mercury passes directly, transits, between the Sun and a superior planet, becoming visible against the solar disk. During a transit, Mercury appears as a tiny black dot moving across the disk of the Sun.

Occurring 13 to 14 times per century, the November 11th, the 2019 Transit of Mercury will be the last until 2032. The November 2019 transit will be the 4th in the time frame of 2000 to 2100 and the first since 2016.

Although the best viewing of the event in its entirety will be from the eastern United States, Central America, and South America, the Pacific Northwest will still have an amazing opportunity to view this transit.

Viewers with telescopes and approved solar filters will be able to observe the dark disk of the planet Mercury moving across the face of the Sun. It is crucial to have viewing filters to prevent eye damage.

Several different organizations will be hosting and providing viewing parties. Make sure to find out about events at the following locations.

— Jewett Observatory, Pullman, WA
— Eugene Astronomical Society at College Hill Reservoir, 24th Avenue Lawrence Street, Eugene, OR,
— Pierce College Ft. Steilacoom, Science Dome
— Seattle Astronomy at Seacrest Park, 1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126

Expected Viewing Duration Information
Duration: 2 hours, 58 minutes, 51 seconds
Duration of full transit: 2 hours, 57 minutes, 9 seconds
Sunrise: Nov 11 at 7:04:06 am
Partial begins: Nov 11 at 7:05:53 am
Full begins: Nov 11 at 7:05:53 am
Maximum: Nov 11 at 7:20:27 am
Full ends: Nov 11 at 10:03:02 am
Partial ends: Nov 11 at 10:04:44 am

Resources

Transit Visibility Map and Information
http://www.eclipsewise.com/oh/tm2019.html
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/transit/2019-november-11