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

[Madeleine Maudlin]

p.99

"After the Transit, Astronomers and Hosts walk about for Days in deep
Stupor, like Rakes and Doxies after some great Catastrophe of the
Passions..."


On Thu, May 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM, Bekah <bekah0176 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Interesting,  David,  thanks.
>
> Here's a nce little , although quite simple, 4 minute history and
> explanation of the transit of Venus:
>  http://www.transitofvenus.org/
> (It's pretty anyway and has nice music)
>
> Bekah
>
>
> On May 24, 2012, at 7:32 AM, David Morris wrote:
>
> > 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.
>
>
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