Coastal Carolina University will host a public viewing of a rare astronomical event on Tuesday, June 5, starting at 6:04 p.m., when the planet Venus will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun. The last time such an event occurred was on June 8, 2004. The next time won't be until Dec. 11, 2117.

Astronomy professor Louis Rubbo of CCU's Department of Chemistry & Physics has organized a Venus transit viewing for the public. The viewing will take place at the Coastal Carolina University frisbee golf course behind Bill Baxley Hall. The best place to park is in the lot right off of the roundabout on University Drive near U.S. 501. There will be three 8-inch telescopes properly fitted with solar viewing filters, in addition to eclipse viewing glasses for the public to use.

More information about the coming Venus transit can be found at http://www.transitofvenus.org/.

For more information about the Venus transit viewing at CCU, contact Rubbo at lrubbo@coastal.edu or 843-349-6489.