Mercury Transits: The Fleeting Planet Crosses the Sun

A Mercury transit occurs when the planet passes directly between Earth and the Sun.
Mercury appears as a tiny black dot slowly gliding across the Sun’s surface.
These events happen about 13–14 times per century.
Transits can only occur in May or November, when Mercury’s tilted orbit aligns with Earth’s.
The last transit was on November 11, 2019, lasting over five hours.
The next won’t occur until November 13, 2032.
Mercury transits helped astronomers refine the size of the astronomical unit (Earth-Sun distance).
Observing requires a telescope with a proper solar filter for safety.
Unlike a solar eclipse, Mercury is too small to block noticeable sunlight.
These fleeting events showcase the precision and elegance of planetary orbits.