The Transit of Venus

Last June 5 and 6 2012 many astronomers and students were fascinated with the astronomical phenomena that was seen and observed all over the world. The transit of Venus is a once in a lifetime phenomena that can be seen in every 121.5 years and 105.5 years respectively. This phenomenon is where the planet Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun and creating a tiny black spot that can be seen with the use of any light blocking lenses to be safely observed using the naked eye. Because of the rarity and importance in astronomical measurement, this event are well observe and studied by various astronomy enthusiast.

The transit of Venus is well documented since its first known scientific observance on 1639 by two astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and William Crabtree. They were able to observe the transit and accurately provide the correct size of Venus and the estimated distance of Venus from Earth. Though it is not the accurate in today’s observation, it is the most accurate distance of Venus to Earth at that time. The observation on 2004 and 2012 is the most observed transit of Venus of all time. Though the exact distance of Venus was already determined, the astronomers use this event to correctly identify measurement that they can use in determining extrasolar planet in other stars aside from our planet. And the number of enthusiastic student that was able to observed the phenomenon ensure of further enthusiasm in the realm of astronomy.