Transit of Venus 2004 from Google Images
On the 6th June, Venus will line up directly with the Sun and we'll get to see the planet as a small black dot against the bright Sun. It's an astronomical curiosity today, but in times past it prompted major scientific expeditions. Men devoted their lives to the Transit – some were successful and there were also many tales of despair – as they tried to unlock the true size of the Solar System.
Only six transits have occurred since the phenomenon was discovered – 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874, 1882 and the most recent in 2004. Each has its own story. Like the transit of 1769 that provided the public reason for James Cook's voyage to the Pacific but led him to chart the east coast of Australia.
The best time to view this phenomenon is thought to be between 8.16am and 8.35am EST as it first moves onto the Sun's face.
The transit in June will be the last in our lifetimes. No one will witness this event again until 2117……
The best time to view this phenomenon is thought to be between 8.16am and 8.35am EST as it first moves onto the Sun's face.
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