TRANSIT OF VENUS
08 JUNE 2004
TRACE WHITE LIGHT "3D" STEREOGRAMS

TRANSIT OF VENUS "STEREOGRAMS"

Four "right/left" stereograms havebeen constructed from images of the 8 June 2004 transit of Venus using processedimagery from the Transition Region Coronal Explorer (TRACE) spacecraft. Our imaging program, and the images which resulted from it, are describedHERE.  The four stereograms presentedbelow highlight two phenomenon: the forward scattering and refraction ofsunlight through the atmosphere of Venus seen against the sky backgroundduring ingress and egress (top and bottom panels), and the instants of internaltangencies of the solar and Cytherian disks (contacts II and III, secondand third panels) the geometrical configuration associated with "Black Drops"reported from ground-based observations.

To view each of the stereograms pairspresented on this page, place a pair at the level of your eyes at a distanceof about half a meter. Your nose should be on a line between the two images. If you are nearsighted use your corrective lenses, even if the images arein focus for you at that distance.  Make sure your head is vertical(i.e., your eyes horizontal and your head not "tilted").  Allow youreyes to "cross" (as if you were looking at an object only about 100 cm from your eyes).  Allow right and left images to fuse into a single image. Allow time for your eyes to "relax", as they will adjust to focus for anobject which is at the distance of the screen - but your binocular visionis telling your brain is much closer.  If you are not used to viewingstereograms this may "feel" unnatural (and it is) and the image will go inand out of "fusing" until your eyes relax to this viewing situation. After you have adjusted to this, and the image is stabily fused for a fewseconds, you will see Venus "floating" in front of the Sun.  Take aminute or two to view each image pair in this way, for the longer you lookthe more your eyes will "relax" into viewing in this mode.

The in-line "low resolution" stereogramimages below are presented at 1/3 the resolution (and size for 72 pixel per inch web-based viewing) of the original TRACE images.  Higher resolution images, at half and full TRACE optical resolution (at 72  pixels per inch) are available for viewing/download. The "3D" effect is more profound for thelarger, and higher resolution images, and you will be able to view them froma larger distance, which is more relaxing for your eyes. Enjoy! 

Clickto see: MEDIUM RESOLUTION, FULL RESOLUTION images.




This page may be freely linked from other web pages.  Use of these imagesin print or other media will generally be granted upon request.  Pleasedirect inquires to Glenn Schneider.

Inquires to: gschneider@as.arizona.edu (or gschneider@mac.com)

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