Re: historical astronomy question

[Rick Strickert <rick_strickert@URSCORP.COM>]

Rondo Jeffery wrote:

> By the way, the next transits of Venus are listed in
> the Cambridge Encyclopedia as being on June 7, 2004,
> and June 5, 2012.

...or around those dates.

During the four transits after Horrocks astronomers have had their
difficulties with weather, military conflicts, and sickness (not to mention
some sexual adventures in Tahiti during the 1769 transit). These are
described in Don Fernie's five part series [1-5].

The two 21st century transits will be able to be observed without the
problems of cloud cover.

Rick Strickert
URS Radian
Austin, TX

1. Fernie, J. D. 1997. Transits, Travels and Tribulations, I.
American Scientist 85:120-122.
http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/other/Fernie/marginalia9703.html

2. Fernie, J. D. 1997. Transits, Travels and Tribulations, II.
American Scientist 85:418-421.
http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/other/Fernie/marginalia9709.html

3. Fernie, J. D. 1998. Transits, Travels and Tribulations, III.
American Scientist 86:123-126.
http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/other/Fernie/Marginalia1998-03.html

4. Fernie, J. D. 1998. Transits, Travels and Tribulations, IV.
American Scientist 86:422-425.
http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/other/Fernie/Marginalia1998-09.html

5. Fernie, J. D. 1999. Transits, Travels and Tribulations, V.
American Scientist 87:119-121.
http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/other/Fernie/Marginalia1999-03.html