Get Ready!
Transit of Venus Video
This short video from transitofvenus.org takes you through a short history of the Transit of Venus, and ties its importance today to the search for planets orbiting other stars.
Observe the Sun Safely!
There are many simple ways to observe the Sun safely. Check out our guide so you can join in the fun!
Transit History
This is only the seventh Transit of Venus to be observed in recorded history. Learn about the history of past events, including how observations in the 1760s helped measure the size of our solar system.
Transit Science
Discover the science and mathematics of the Sun, the Transit, and the mysterious "Black Drop Effect."
When and Where to Watch
Where do you have to be to watch the Transit? When does it start? And most importantly, what if it's cloudy?
August 21, 2017
Total Solar EclipseLearning how to observe the Sun safely for the Transit is great practice for the total solar eclipse that will be visible from Nashville in 2017!
Science
- The 2012 Transit of Venus - Astronomical Society of the Pacific (pdf)
Learn the history and science of Transits of Venus, all the way back to 1639. - Exploratorium: The Rarest Eclipse
The Exploratorium presents an complete look at the Transit of Venus, including safe observing tips and more about the planet Venus itself. - Transitofvenus.nl
Keep an eye on this excellent site, with frequent updates and plenty of observing and historical information. - Universe in the Classroom: Transit of Venus
This resource from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific details the past and future of transit events, and provides several activities to try before the big day! - Six Millenium Catalog of Venus Transits - NASA
How often do transits of Venus occur? Why do they follow such a strange pattern? It all comes down to mathematics and the orbits of Earth and Venus. - Predicting a Transit of Venus
Why are transits of Venus so rare? This video explanation takes a paper plate and less than three minutes. - Transit of Venus Smartphone App
In the 1760's, observers around the world attempted to time Transits of Venus down to the second in an attempt to measure the size of the solar system. Now, you can help recreate that experiment on your smartphone! - Transit of Venus: Why is it Important?
How does Venus crossing in front of the Sun help us measure the solar system's size? It just takes close observations, and a little trigonometry. The Exploratorium demonstrates the process. - The Black Drop Effect
As the disc of Venus crosses the edge of the Sun's disc, a strange thing happens: the image of Venus briefly distorts like a teardrop, almost appearing to be connected to the Sun's edge. Explanations of this illusion have been debated for ages. One thing everyone agrees on: the Black Drop Effect makes it very difficult to measure the exact times of the Transit.
- Transit of Venus workbook - classroom activities (pdf)
This classroom workbook from the Transit of Venus Project covers many aspects of the math, science, and history of the Transit.
