© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Abrams planetarium to offer views of rare ‘Mercury transit’

Mercery transit photo
Greg Hewgill
/
flickr creative commons
An image from a Mercury transit on November 11, 2006. Mercury is the dot on the right; the larger blob on the left is a sunspot.

On Monday, Mercury will pass between the earth and the sun. We talk with Shannon Schmoll and John French of MSU's Abrams Planetarium about the rare event.

An uncommon astronomical event will take place on Monday. The transit of Mercury happens about 13 times a century. It’s when the planet closest to the sun can be seen passing in front of it. Weather permitting, it will be visible for about six hours through special telescopes at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

For more about the transit of Mercury, Current State talks the director of MSU’s Abrams Planetarium, Shannon Schmoll, and John French, the planetarium’s production coordinator.

Related Content
With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.