9 November 2006
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Christopher Durre, great-great grandson of Sir John Monash, observing a projection of Mercury transiting the sun through his great-great grandfathers 1920s telescope.(Photo by Melissa Di Ciero).
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Christopher Durre, the great-great-grandson of Sir John Monash, was just one of the people who lined up today in the courtyard of Monash University's Hargrave-Andrew Library to get a glimpse of Mercury transiting the sun.
And the young boy had lots of fun being able to do this through his great-great grandfather's 1920s telescope.
Christopher, 9, said he was thrilled to be able to examine a projection on white paper of the transit - it is too dangerous to look directly at the sun through the telescope.
"I feel proud to have looked through the telescope that belonged to my Dad and my great-great-grandfather."
Christopher was joined by other enthusiasts in the viewing that was organised by Monash University's School of Physics.
There are only 13 Mercury transits this century. The next will occur in 2016.
For more information contact Mr John Watts at Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9315, or Ms Penny Fannin on +61 3 9905 5828 or 0417 125 700.
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