I don't know where my fascination with space began, but it is something I've never been able to shake. (sorry, Jill) So that explains why when something predictable happens I am yet still amazed. For instance, this morning Mercury cut across Earth's view of the sun, something it will do 12 times this century, and I think it is the neatest thing. My awe can be translated into awe of all the things --big and small-- that God has created.
About 160 times smaller than the apparent diameter of the Sun, Mercury will appear as a tiny dot, silhouetted on the bright face of the Sun, as it makes its five and a half hour journey on 7 May 2003. [...]
The planets Mercury and Venus have orbits closer to the Sun than the Earth. They are therefore the only planets that can pass in front of the Sun, as seen from Earth. During the 19th century, transits were used to precisely measure the distance to Mercury and Venus. Scientists will use the transit on 7 May 2003 as a unique opportunity to better understand the instruments on the SOHO spacecraft.
[By the way, in the top image, the little dot inside of the green one is Mercury. The sun is blue because a filter is being used in the photograph.]
