Mercury transit: Scientists and stargazers gear up for rare celestial event

“Transits are a visible demonstration of how the planets move around the sun, and everyone with access to the right equipment should take a look, or go to an organised event if the weather is clear, or alternatively follow one of the live webcasts.

“I do want to stress though that people must follow the safety advice – looking at the sun without appropriate protection can seriously damage your eyes.”

The entire event is visible from the eastern United States and Canada, the south-western tip of Greenland, most of the Caribbean, central America, the whole of South America and some of west Africa.

In Europe – including the UK, the Middle East, and most of Africa, the sun will set before the transit ends, and so the latter part of the event will not be visible.

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