Abstract
THE TRANSIT OF MERCURY, May 6, 1878.—The transit of Mercury, which will occur on May 6 in the ensuing year, is the last during the present century in which the planet can be observed upon the sun's disc for any length of time in this country, and on that occasion the nearest approach of centres will take place only half an hour before sunset; owing, however, to the long duration of the transit, 7h. 35m. geocentric, Mercury will have been upon the disc more than four hours and a quarter when the sun sets. Reducing to Greenwich by the Nautical Almanac data it appears the first external contact will occur at 3h. 10m. 58s. mean time, and the first internal contact at 3h. 14m. 4s., or the planet will be 3m. 6s. in wholly entering upon the disc. The least distance of centres will occur at 7h. om., and sun-set at 7h. 29m. The duration of the transit is longer than in any other of this century, or indeed than in any one that has occurred since the year 1756.
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