Measuring the Universe: from the transit of Venus to the edge of the cosmos

[David Morris]

http://www.rmg.co.uk/visit/events/measuring-the-universe

In June 2012 stargazers will flock to prime locations around the world
to see the Transit of Venus – the next one will not occur for another
105 years.

Transits take place only when Venus passes directly between the Earth
and the Sun, appearing as tiny black dot against the bright solar
disk. In previous centuries these rare events were used to make an
accurate measure of the distance to the planets, giving astronomers
their first inkling of the true mind-boggling scale of space. To mark
this occasion the Royal Observatory, Greenwich will host a programme
of activities from March to September 2012, with a new exhibition and
a season of talks, special events and planetarium shows all asking the
question: just how big is the Universe?

>From Edmund Halley and Captain Cook, to Edwin Hubble and the Cosmic
Microwave Background, the Royal Observatory will tell the stories of
the people who measured the cosmos.

Transit of Venus equipment at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1874 (H5493)


http://vimeo.com/41434123

“Measuring the Universe” is a fascinating animation that explains some
of the ingenious ways scientists measure the universe. It is part of
the ongoing exhibition Measuring the Universe: from the transit of
Venus to the edge of the cosmos, on display at the Royal Observatory
Greenwich in the UK. The exhibition ends September 2, 2012.