LOS ANGELES (AP/KSDK) - Mark your calendars. Venus is about to crawl across the face of the sun.

PHOTOS - Transit of Venus

If you miss it, the next time this will happen will be 105 years from now - in 2117.

It's called a "transit of Venus" and it occurs Tuesday in the Western Hemisphere and Wednesday in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Venus will appear as a black spot gliding across the disk of the sun. Don't stare directly at the sun or you may damage your eyes.

The entire transit will be visible from the western Pacific, eastern Asia and eastern Australia.

People in North America, Central America and part of South America will see some of it before sunset. Europe, western and central Asia, eastern Africa and western Australia will catch the tail end after sunrise.

Do not look at the transit of Venus with your naked eye or while wearing regular sunglasses.  You will need special equipment, such as eclipse glasses that are safe for viewing the sun.  You can also watch it safely on NASA's website, which will be streaming lives starting at 4:30 p.m. CST.

There will be transit of Venus viewing parties in the St. Louis-area where experts will be on hand with special equipment.  You can attend those at the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, Broemmelsiek Park in Wentzville and at the SIUE baseball stadium.

(Information from the Associated Press contributed to his report)

Associated Press