SPACE-ASTRONOMY-VENUS-FILES

TO GO WITH AFP STORY by Laurent Banguet and Richard Ingham
(FILES) A file picture taken on June 8, 2004 shows the sun rising through clouds over a bridge on the East River of Manhattan, as the planet Venus (dot on lower right of sun) crosses its face, in New York. Astronomers are gearing for one the rarest events in the Solar System: an alignment of Earth, Venus and the Sun that will not be seen for another 105 years. The celestial ballet known as the Transit of Venus is one of the most eagerly-awaited events in skywatching, an episode that has advanced the frontiers of knowledge, sometimes with dramatic consequences. On the evening of June 5, North America, Central America and the northern part of South America will get to see the start of the transit — clear skies permitting — until those regions go into sunset. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA