What is a transit of Venus?

A transit of Venus occurs when the planet Venus passes between the Sun and the Earth. This event is rare and occurs in pairs that are spaced about eight years apart, with more than a century between each pair. During a transit of Venus, Venus can be seen as a small, dark dot moving across the face of the Sun.

The transit of Venus was first observed in 1639 by English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks. It was later observed by other astronomers, including Edmond Halley who used the transit to accurately measure the distance between the Earth and the Sun. The transit of Venus is important because it allows astronomers to calculate the distance between the Earth and the Sun, and to better understand the size and scale of the solar system.

The most recent transit of Venus occurred in 2012 and was visible from parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The next transit of Venus will occur on December 10, 2117.