If you're a space enthusiast, you may have heard the term "transit" used in reference to celestial events. But what exactly is a transit? Simply put, a transit occurs when one object passes in front of another in space. This can happen in a variety of ways, from the Moon passing between Earth and the Sun during a solar eclipse to an exoplanet passing in front of its parent star.
One of the most well-known transits is the solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking out the Sun's bright face and causing a spectacular display of light and shadow on Earth. However, it's important to note that looking directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse (except during the brief total phase) can be dangerous for your eyes. Specialized eye protection for solar viewing is necessary to safely observe this event.
Another notable transit is the transit of Venus. Because of the alignment of Earth, Venus, and the Sun, we can see Venus pass in front of the Sun on its orbit. However, this is a rare event that only occurs every 243 years. The last transit of Venus occurred in 2012, and the next one won't happen until 2117.
But transits aren't just limited to objects in our own solar system. Scientists have discovered thousands of exoplanets (planets outside our solar system) by observing transits. When an exoplanet passes in front of its parent star, the star's light dims by a small amount. This dimming can be measured and used to determine the planet's size and orbit.
In fact, the discovery of exoplanets through transits has led to some exciting discoveries. In 2017, scientists discovered seven Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting a star called TRAPPIST-1, all of which were found through their transits. These exoplanets are located in the habitable zone of their star, meaning they could potentially have liquid water and be suitable for life.
Transits allow us to learn a lot about the objects in our universe. By observing the amount of light blocked during a transit, scientists can determine the size and orbit of planets and even discover new exoplanets. While some transits are rare events that only occur every few hundred years, others happen frequently and provide valuable opportunities for scientific discovery.
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Cosmology