Simultaneous astronomical planetary phenomena are rare spectacles only for those with pure, theoretical interest in astronomy becasue of the rarities and 'abstract' thought concerning it. Yes, we here on earth have and will experience transits of planets (only two, respectively Mercury and Venus), but Jupiter and the other planets have a better variety, with Neptune having the cadence of them all! Jupiter is able to see Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars transit the surface of the Sun, and it is an incredible finding that we were able to discern it!
On November 28, 2011, the planet Mercury will transit the face of the Sun, as seen only by Jupiter. But how can this be?, after all, we cannot even see it. Because the synodic period (orbital period) of each planet is 89.792 days, a formula can be calculated to determine such events, as shown below. P represents the sidereal orbital period of Mercury (which is respectively 87.968435 days) and Q represents the orbital period of Jupiter (respectively 4330.595 days). If we plug them into the equation we achieve these:
Now, of course, these simultaneous planetary transits are not very recent; below is the title of an article publish by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1886, Note on the Transit of the Planet Mars and its Satellites across the Sun’s disc, which will occur for the Planet Jupiter and its Satellites on April 13, 1886. It can be accessed here. Below is some general information about the transit, i.e., where will the planet pass and what coordinates will the sun be relative to Jupiter, etc.
This is a rather central transit; as you see in the yellow Sun above with the path of Mercury, Mercury passes right through the center. February 26, 2011's transit (other link above) passes at the very top of the Sun. Therefore, this transit is rather rare.
On November 28, 2011, the planet Mercury will transit the face of the Sun, as seen only by Jupiter. But how can this be?, after all, we cannot even see it. Because the synodic period (orbital period) of each planet is 89.792 days, a formula can be calculated to determine such events, as shown below. P represents the sidereal orbital period of Mercury (which is respectively 87.968435 days) and Q represents the orbital period of Jupiter (respectively 4330.595 days). If we plug them into the equation we achieve these:
Now, of course, these simultaneous planetary transits are not very recent; below is the title of an article publish by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1886, Note on the Transit of the Planet Mars and its Satellites across the Sun’s disc, which will occur for the Planet Jupiter and its Satellites on April 13, 1886. It can be accessed here. Below is some general information about the transit, i.e., where will the planet pass and what coordinates will the sun be relative to Jupiter, etc.
 |
| Passage of Mercury across the Sun as seen from Jupiter |
| Transits of Mercury from Jupiter: 2005-2100 | |
|---|---|
| December 25, 2005 | September 5, 2053 |
| March 26, 2006 | May 10, 2059 |
| November 28, 2011 | August 8, 2059 |
| February 26, 2012 | June 23, 2065 |
| January 12, 2018 | February 26, 2071 |
| September 17, 2023 | May 27, 2071 |
| December 15, 2023 | April 11, 2077 |
| October 31, 2029 | December 16, 2082 |
| July 6, 2035 | March 15, 2083 |
| October 3, 2035 | January 28, 2089 |
| August 18, 2041 | April 29, 2089 |
| November 17, 2041 | January 1, 2095 |
| July 22, 2047 | November 17, 2100 |
| June 6, 2053 | |
This is a rather central transit; as you see in the yellow Sun above with the path of Mercury, Mercury passes right through the center. February 26, 2011's transit (other link above) passes at the very top of the Sun. Therefore, this transit is rather rare.
Recent and Upcoming Transits
AD 2011 Nov 28 20:51 C Transit of Mercury on Jupiter AD 2011 Dec 30 16:46 G Transit of Mercury on Saturn AD 2012 Feb 26 04:38 G Transit of Mercury on Jupiter AD 2012 Mar 28 12:20 C Transit of Mercury on Saturn AD 2012 May 06 11:34 C Transit of Venus on Saturn AD 2012 Jun 06 01:31 C Transit of Venus on Earth AD 2012 Jun 25 08:10 C Transit of Mercury on Saturn AD 2012 Sep 20 09:54 C Transit of Venus on Jupiter AD 2012 Sep 22 04:16 C Transit of Mercury on Saturn
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