>>> what's happening tonight in the sky will never happen again in our lifetime, most of us. the planet venus is passing between us and the sun. once it's over it won't happen again until 2117. a lot of folks are gathering to watch safely. mike taibbi is among them in griffith park in l.a.
>> reporter: a festive afternoon here at l.a.'s griffith observatory . it started at 3:07 pacific time . though it's not technically an eclipse, you have to wear eclipse caliber eye protection to see it happen. it's not as dramatic as a lunar or solar eclipse . no suddenly darkened skies. a transit of venus shows itself as a distinct dark dot inching slowly across the face of the sun. it takes just under seven hours for the dot to move across the sun. hawaii is a prime viewing spot and then moving across europe and the rest of the eastern hemisphere wednesday morning. nasa is streaming for those who want to follow on screen. for hundreds of astronomy bfs donning these special glasses is the only way to go.
>> it's a once in a lifetime feeling.
>> there's purely scientific events beyond their rarity. the last one in 2004 . astronomers learn more during their duration of the universe beyond our solar system . more than 60 additional planets have been discovered circling their own sons.
>> in the history of astrong me it's important, because it's linked to the successful understanding of how the solar system is laid out.
>> among those with the best view, the astronauts aboard the insister national space station . no matter how excited you might be to see it, don't look toward the sun without proper protection. now, only six of these transits have been observed since they were first discovered in the 17th century . if you miss this one, the next one is on december 10th of the year 2117.
>> cool stuff. you're in a great spot to see it.
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