Watch: Astronomers capture amazing moment Mercury passes across the sun

Astronomers have captured amazing footage on Tuesday morning (NZ time) as a rare event took place.

Mercury is transiting the sun, an event that won't be seen again until November 13, 2032.

NASA has captured amazing footage of the ongoing transit, showing Mercury as a tiny silhouette against the backdrop of the sun.

Planet enthusiasts throughout the world have taken to social media also showing what they had captured.

Mercury orbits the sun every 88 days, but because the planet's orbit is tilted compared to Earth's, it usually passes either above or below the sun from our line of sight.

"It's a beautiful and rare celestial event," the National Space and Air Museum says.

If you couldn't watch it live, NASA's video footage can be found here.

Newshub.