More than 200 people came out to the UCR Baseball complex Monday morning, Nov. 11, to watch Mercury pass in front of the sun — a rare occurrence that happens around 13 times every 100 years.

The public viewing was organized by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and it took place from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. while the planet was visible as a black dot moving across the sun. The next Mercury transit will not be visible from Earth until 2032.

Observers watched through telescopes positioned at the softball fields. The event also offered activities for children who drew and painted planets and stars at a table.

Camp Highlander co-sponsored the viewing which also included participation from the Astronomy Club, the Photonics Society, and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.