Stargazers will be able see Venus cross the Sun

Updated at 3.03pm: Stargazers in Hong Kong will be able to witness a remarkable cosmic spectacle on Tuesday - when the planet Venus crosses the Sun, the Hong Kong Observatory said on Monday. This rare astronomical phenomenon has not occurred for 112 years.

The observatory said Venus crossing the sun would occur on Tuesday from 1.12pm to 7.19pm. It will last about six hours. Venus will cross the sun above Hong Kong - casting a slow moving shadow over an area one thirteenth of the Sun.

Most this would be visible in Hong Kong because the sun would set at 7.09pm on Tuesday, the observatory said

If there is good weather, the best place to view Venus crossing the Sun will be from an unobstructed view to the west. This will occur at Pok Fu Lam, Stanley, Lamma Island, Cheung Chau and Tai O.

But the observatory warned members of the public not to look directly at the sun or through a telescope. The strong sunlight can be harmful.

The observatory advised viewing the Sun's reflection when it is projected onto a piece of white paper or cardboard.