Hristo set the watch NEC (USA) with the national TV “EUROPE” in 3:00 a.m. UT 6:00 a.m. (local time). Venus was moving in the region Taurus. We knew about this from astronomic almanac In4:30 a.m. UT we carried out the telescope and set it. We were upset because of the clouds above. Behind the clouds from time to time we saw the sun disc and preset in this direction the telescope. We expected the second contact and we know that the first was impossible to be seen. The moment of the first and second contacts was gone, and we still didn’t see the sun disc. At 15 min to 6 a.m. UT “a window opens” and Redvan shouted happily “Look, here is the Venus”. We all came round the screen.

 A little time after that “the window” closed. Some words of desperation were told. In this way we saw the transit and lost it. We were afraid that we couldn’t see the third contact. At about 7:00 a.m. UT the clouds had gone and it gave us the chance to see a clear sun disc, to see the moment of maximum closeness and north of the closeness two solar spots. We put the sun filter and followed the Venus movement visually. The teacher told us about the light “aureole” round black circle evidence for the existing of atmosphere. Soon the news started – “astronomers” had seen the transits. A lot of students came. There was a queue. Everyone wanted to see. Our group hardly managed to keep the sun disc on the screen (You understand why?). A lot of people passing by also came. A woman said, “Thanks for the happiness to see that rare heavenly phenomenon”. The sky became clearer. A bus full of students arrived from Staro Oriachovo, which is 6 km from Dolni chiflik. We – the watchers gave them an opportunity to see the transit. They were happy. Time went on all our teacher came and small pupils also. At 10:30 a.m. UT we were very excited because according to the astronomic calendar of BAN for 2004, it was time for the third contact. What a great time, the sky was clear and we expected the moment. The teacher divided the work between us for maximum result. Carefully Redvan and Veselin kept the sun disc on the screen, but Hristo looked at the watch impatiently. The moment was near and the teacher said “Hristo the time”. The watch showed 11:03:03 a.m. UT. We signed.

*The photo is kindly given from NAOP “Copernicus”.

We continued the watching in order to see the fourth contact. We wondered – how? The black spot left the sun disc. It was known that we couldn’t see the touch from the exterior side. The teacher said ”Watch and be careful. The “circle” disappeared when we heard – “Hristo the time”. The watch showed 11:22:04 a.m. UT. Everyone commented. Veselin begin to write down the protocol.

We were satisfied and took our poor equipment. When we went home, we felt that everyone talked about this heavenly phenomenon and about us as young astronomers.