Astronomers gear up for planetary alignment

Expect Mercury to rise today as Astronomers are preparing for one of the highlights when the Sun, Mercury and Earth all line up. This phenomenon only happens 13 times per century and Mercury will be seen through telescopes as a black dot inching over the face of our star, providing a celestial spectacle -- weather permitting -- that will last seven and a half hours. In South Africa, you can view the event through a telescope or binoculars from after noon until 7 o'clock tonight. TIP: Make sure you use a solar filter before watching the transit and if you don't have a filter, don't try to look directly at the sun, not even through your phone camera. You'll risk severe eye damage.