Mercury transit 2019: When and how to see Mercury pass in front of the sun

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and staff writer

Updated Nov. 1, 2019 10:27 AM

A rare astronomical event known as a transit will take place on Monday, Nov. 11, and you can tune in to AccuWeather.com to watch the event as it happens.

People looking to the sky with the proper equipment will be able to witness a Mercury transit, a celestial alignment in which Mercury passes directly between the Earth and the sun. As a result, Mercury will be able to be seen on the face of the sun.

“Mercury is too small to see with your eclipse glasses and requires a safe solar telescope,” NASA said. “Only ever view the Sun through a telescope with a certified solar filter; otherwise, you risk permanent damage to your eyes.”

People that don’t have this equipment or those who do but cannot see the transit due to cloudy conditions, can watch the event live right here on AccuWeather.com -- bookmark this page so you don't miss it.

AccuWeather will also be posting photos, videos and updates about the Mercury Transit on Twitter and Facebook.

If you are observing the transit, be sure to tell us on social media and send us your photos.

This composite image of observations by NASA and the ESA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows the path of Mercury during its November 2006 transit. On Monday, May 9, 2016, the solar system's smallest, innermost planet will resemble a black dot as it passes in front of the Sun. NASA says the event occurs only about 13 times a century. (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/NASA/ESA via AP)

This rare event will be visible across all of North America (with the exception of Alaska), South America, Europe, Africa and western Asia.

What time Mercury will transit the sun depends on your time zone. The event will last for nearly five hours, beginning at 7:35 a.m. EST and lasting until 1:04 p.m. EST. For central and western North America, the transit will already be underway at sunrise.

Folks that miss Monday’s transit will need to wait 13 years for the next one, which will take place on Nov. 13, 2032.

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Mercury transits are rare but happen far more often than Venus transits.

Venus transits are sometimes referred to as a "twice in a lifetime event" as they happen in pairs, separated by a long period of time. Most recently, there were a pair of transits on June 8, 2004, and June 5, 2012. The next pair will not happen again until Dec. 10, 2117, and Dec. 8, 2125.

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Grab your telescopes and get some solar filters ready. A rare transit of Mercury across the sun will occur on Nov. 11. This rare astronomical event won't happen again until 2032, so don't miss out!