Join  Marble Springs on Monday, May 9 for a special stargazing workshop conducted by Gary Noland, adjunct instructor of Astronomy at the University of Tennessee. This workshop will feature the relatively rare astronomical event of Mercury’s transit across the sun. During the transit, Mercury will appear in silhouette as a small, dark dot moving in front of the sun. The last transit of Mercury occurred in 2006 and will not be seen again until 2019.

The Transit of Mercury stargazing workshop will take place Monday, May 9, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to view this rare event through a special telescope provided by Mr. Noland. Note: proper eye protection is absolutely essential for watching the transit of Mercury, else you risk blindness or eye damage. For all guests planning to stay the duration of the workshop, packing a lunch is recommended. This event is free, but donations are appreciated. Details are subject to change. For more information please call (865)573-5508, email info@marblesprings.net, or visit our website at www.marblesprings.net.

Programming assistance for this event is provided by Knox County. Marble Springs is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission, and supplemented by additional funds raised by the Governor John Sevier Memorial Association.

All activities take place at Marble Springs State Historic Site: 1220 W. Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920.