KEEN astronomers are in for a treat as an opportunity to view a planet on the move is to be provided in Kendal.

On Monday the planet Mercury will appear to move across the face of the Sun, as it moves directly between the Earth and the star.

This phenomenon - known as a 'transit' - will see the closest planet to the sun look like a black dot silhouetted against it for seven hours.

As looking at the sun without the proper equipment is dangerous, the Eddington Astronomical Society of Kendal is holding a special "Transit Watch" in Kendal to enable people to watch safely. Due to the small size of the silhouette of Mercury against the sun, glasses such as the ones used to view lunar eclipses are not sufficient.

MORE TOP STORIES: Stuart Atkinson, Eddington AS Secretary, said: "We know many people will want to see the transit, but it will be dangerous to watch without the right equipment and observing techniques. We hope people will come along to join us at the park, and later up at the castle, to watch this rare event with us in perfect safety."

Mr Atkinson added that, unlike a solar eclipse, or a transit of Venus, the upcoming Mercury Transit will not be an exciting or dramatic event.

"All we'll see will be a tiny black dot moving across the Sun, very, very slowly, and it will probably look smaller than any sunspots on the Sun that day. But that's not the point. Transits like this are very rare - the last one visible from the UK was in 2003 and the next won't be until 2019, so it's important to help people see it."

From 11.30am EAS members will be in Abbot Hall Park setting up their telescopes and equipment, ready for the transit to start at 12.15pm.

They will remain there through the afternoon, until the Transit Watch relocates to Kendal Castle at 5pm. This will be necessary because during the latter stages of the transit the Sun will be so low in the sky that the trees and buildings around the park will begin to hide it from view.

From the castle, high above Kendal, there will be an unobstructed view to the west, and the rest of the transit will be visible right until it ends at 7.40pm, shortly before sunset.