1. By Eleanor Parker

2. What is it? When the planet Venus passes directly between the sun and earth, becoming visible against (and hence obscuring a small portion of) the solar disk. During a transit, Venus can be seen from earth as a small black disk moving across the face of the sun.

3. HISTORY The first known scientific observation was made by Jeremiah Horrocks on 4th December 1639.

4. Captain Cook On June 3, 1769, British navigator,Captain James Cook, Britishastronomer Charles Green and Swedishnaturalist Daniel Solander observed andrecorded the transit of Venus on theisland of Tahiti during Captain Cook’s1 st voyage around the world. A "secret" mission that followed the transit includedthe exploration of the South Pacific tofind the legendary Terra AustralisIncognita or "unknown land of the South."

5. How can the Transit be Viewed? You need to protect your eyes. There are several safe ways to watch Venus transit the sun. Rear projection screen Solar filtered telescope Disposable "eclipse shades" Live webcast