LINCOLNVILLE — This photo of Mercury transiting the sun on May 9 was taken by photographer Jacob Gerritsen. Mercury is the intense dot located in the lower right; the spots upper left are the usual sunspots. The blotchiness is the clouds moving in.

Mercury transited the sun May 9 for the first time since 2006. The transit or passage of a planet across the face of the Sun is a relatively rare occurrence. As seen from Earth, only transits of Mercury and Venus are possible. There are approximately 13 transits of Mercury each century. (Courtesy eclipsewise.com/oh/tm2016.html)