University of Rochester

Transit of Venus: 1882 and 2012

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    The planet Venus is seen as a black dot as it transits across the sun over the University of Rochester on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

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    Spectators line the quad preparing to view the transit of Venus.

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    William Harkness (center), class of 1858, with the U.S Transit of Venus Commission in 1882.

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    View from the transit of Venus observing station at Queenstown, New Zealand looking across Lake Wakatipu in 1882. Harkness sailed here from Hobart, Tasmania, on the ship Swatara.

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    Photo from the University of Rochester captures the "Venus ink drop effect," where the edge of Venus appears to drip down from the edge of the sun.

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    An illustration of the transit of Venus in June 1761, in James Ferguson's 1785 book, "Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles, and made easy to those who have not studied mathematics."

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    A lecture given in advance of the 1769 transit warns enthusiasts, "Since it is very probable that a great number of persons may have the curiosity to behold so uncommon a sight ... I think it is necessary to give a public caution that no Body should venture to look on the Sun, without defending his eyes from the dazzling brightness."

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    Using special-purpose solar telescopes, spectators are able to safely observe the sun as the planet Venus crosses its path.

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    Astronomical instruments belonging to Admiral William Harkness.

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    The transit of Venus instruments set up for the U.S. Naval Centennial Exhibit in 1876

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    Notes from the French commission on the transit of Venus in 1874.

For the last time until 2117, spectators from the University of Rochester and around the world gathered to view the transit of the planet Venus across the face of the sun.

These transits usually occur in pairs, eight years apart, separated by long gaps of 121 years and 105 years. Much like today, the astronomical world was on high alert to observe the last pair of transits of Venus in 1874 and 1882.


Professor Adam Frank: The Venus Transit -- Who Cares?
NPR, June 4, 2012

Admiral William Harkness, University of Rochester class of 1858, was one of the nation's foremost astronomers, serving for nearly 40 years at the U.S. Naval Observatory.

He directed expeditions to the far reaches of the planet to observe such events as the transit of Venus.

At that time, there were no precise measurements of the size of the solar system or the exact distance between the earth and the sun. Observation parties were sent to the far reaches of the earth to try to measure the solar parallax. Harkness, for whom Harkness Hall is named, was one of the original members of the U.S. Transit of Venus Commission. He was stationed at Hobart, Tasmania in 1874. He led the American efforts for the 1882 transit and almost single-handedly achieved the final American result.

The next transits of Venus will be in 2117 and 2125.

The William Harkness Papers are housed in the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Rush Rhees Library.

Historic photos courtesy of Rare Books and Special Collections.