Exeter, NH (November 2, 2006)—For only the second time in the century, the planet Mercury will transit the sun next week. This rare event, the upcoming scheduled transits are May 9, 2016, and November 11, 2019, can be seen using a filtered telescope on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 8, 2006. Phillips Exeter Academy’s Grainger Observatory will be open for the public to view this planetary transit from 2:00 p.m. to sunset. For online directions to the Observatory, please visit http://observatory.exeter.edu/Directions.html.

“Mercury transits happens 14 times this century. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce astronomy to someone who’s never seen a planet transit. It’s an exciting moment in science,” says Science Instructor and Director of Grainger Observatory John Blackwell.

Weather permitting, and with the help of the school’s high-powered telescopes, viewers will be able to observe Mercury align with Earth and the Sun for a little more than two hours. Hosted by Blackwell, this viewing offers a first-hand chance to learn about astronomy.

Earlier in the 21st century Mercury transited the Sun on May 7, 2003. Blackwell says he’s seen transits of Mercury and Venus before but he’s looking forward to seeing this event again. “Every time is unique. I look forward to each of them,” he adds.

For more information, contact Mr. Blackwell at (603) 777-3545. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call (603) 777-4330. For more information on other events, contact the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at (603) 777-4309, or visit the Academy website at http://www.exeter.edu/.

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, students come from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds. The diverse student body comes from approximately 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and 26 foreign countries.

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