On June 5, 2012, the Earth, Sun, and the planet Venus will briefly line up, and the Venus will slowly move across the Sun’s face, like a tiny eclipse. This is in fact the rarest eclipse visible from Earth, called a Transit of Venus. This June American astronomers are flocking to Hawaii’s observatories from which the entire transit can be observed (it’s only partially visible in the lower 48 states.)
This will join a long tradition in which the islands of Polynesia are linked to astronomy. It was a Transit of Venus that prompted Captain Cook’s first voyage into the Pacific in 1769, specifically to observe the phenomenon. At the next Transit of Venus in 1874, King David Kalakaua, the “Merrie Monarch” invited British astronomers to observe from Honolulu as well as from the Hulihee Palace in Kailua-Kona.
From May 31-June 5, Paleaku Peace Gardens in Honaunau will be hosting 6 days of astronomy events ending with the Transit of Venus. This week we will be open from 9 to 4 pm everyday and on the Transit day of June 5 will close at 6 pm. Free solar filters will be distributed during this week. Please come and pick up these free solar glasses for looking directly at the sun for even a few moments can cause harm to your eyes. Visitors are welcome everyday from 9 to 4 pm for self- guided tours. Admission to the Gardens is $5 for Adults and $3 for Children.
During the week prior to the Transit astronomer & artist Jon Lomberg, will be combining a lecture on the Venus Transit with a special guided tour of the 100’ diameter Milky Way Galaxy model which is mapped in beautiful flowering plants. His lecture and tour are at 2pm May 31 thru June 2 and on June 3 & 4 the tour will be at 10 am. The lecture and tour is $12/person $20/couple and $25 for a family up to 5 people. This includes your admission to the Garden.
On the JUNE 5 the Transit of Venus takes place from 12 to 6 pm. We are hosting a special NASA live web-cast that will be televised from the top of Mauna Kea to a large TV screen at the Gardens. We will have a telescope with a protective sun filter so visitors can safely observe the transit. Jon Lomberg, originator of the Galaxy garden concept will be on hand to answer questions. Special tours of the galaxy garden will be given by our staff at 12, 2 pm and 4 pm for $10 this includes your admission to the Garden. Kona Coffee Farmers will also be offering tastings from their private reserves!
Paleaku Peace Gardens is a 7- acre tropical garden with lush foliage, orchid displays and unique statuary. We are located at 83-5401 Painted Church Rd. in South Kona. Call us at 328-8084 or www.paleaku.com.
Regular business hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 9am to 4 pm.
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