The 2016 Mercury transit as seen by SDO
Image credit: TW
In a rare astronomical event known as a planetary transit, Mercury passed between the Earth and the Sun on May 9, 2016.
The transit occurred between roughly 11:12 and 18:42 UTC and Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured it in multiple views.
Each century hosts 13 or 14 transits of Mercury. There will be one other in 2019 and then the next one will not take place until 2039.
Music: Encompass by Mark Petrie
Featured image and video credit: NASA/SDO
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That’s beautifully humbling. Little Mercury, against the fury of the sun. Amazing.