How to see Mercury transit the sun on 9 May

Inner planet Mercury will drift across the face of the sun during Monday afternoon, 9 May. Here is how to see its small black silhouette

Mercury will pass directly in front of the sun during the afternoon of 9 May. It will begin its transit at 12:12 BST and complete the passage at 19:42 BST.

Providing that clear skies prevail, all or part of the transit will be visible from much of the planet. Only Australia and far eastern Asia will miss out on seeing at least part of the transit this time around.