The Sky at Night S13E06 · When Venus Crosses the Sun

Overview

Unique scientific observations are made on the rare occasions when Venus 'transits' - or crosses - the sun. Tonight's programme marks the bicentenary of Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific to observe a transit - on June 3, 1769 - during which he claimed Australia for Britain on his way home. Patrick Moore talks to Cdr. Derek Howse, R.N. about Cook's voyage and to Dr. Vinicio Barocas about the first astronomer ever to observe a transit, in 1639 - a twenty-year-old Lancashire curate, the Rev. Jeremiah Horrocks

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Episodes

1. 1 1. The Moon - A New Era1969-01-27Man has just taken his first close look at the moon, and in a few months American spacecraft are expected to bring back samples of the moon's crust for analysis. At this turning p
2. 2 2. How Much Can You See?1969-02-24Without a telescope can you see the phases of Venus? The little star Alcor? The Great Nebula in Andromeda? Patrick Moore discusses what can or cannot be seen without telescopes an
3. 3 3. Jupiter, the Giant Planet1969-03-24Jupiter is specially brilliant this month, but it is so remote that many of its mysteries are still unsolved. Patrick Moore discusses them with Terence Moseley Two bright planets
4. 4 4. The Moon and the Earth1969-04-21Is it unlucky to see the new moon through glass? The moon has always been thought to have a powerful influence on the earth, causing not only tides but also good luck, bad luck, an
5. 5 5. Mars Target Two1969-05-19Two American spacecraft will fly past the planet Mars this summer and send back information which may help to answer the long-debated question, 'Is there life on Mars?' Patrick Mo
6. 6 6. When Venus Crosses the Sun1969-06-16Unique scientific observations are made on the rare occasions when Venus 'transits' - or crosses - the sun. Tonight's programme marks the bicentenary of Captain Cook's voyage to th
7. 7 7. The Needles of Space1969-07-14Meteors and meteorites travel around space in their millions. A few reach the earth but most are burnt up in our atmosphere. Astronauts in space suits, moon bases and manned satell
8. 8 8. The Weather of Mars1969-08-11Does it ever rain on Mars? Are there clouds, winds, and storms? The Mariner probes have sent back new, fascinating information about the Red Planet, but even now there are many pro
9. 9 9. Relativity1969-09-09It is now over fifty years since Einstein astounded the worlds scientists with his revolutionary theories of Relativity. Patrick Moore discusses with Professor Samuel Tolansky the
10. 10 10. Stars that Come and Go1969-10-07Most stars remain unchanging over huge periods of time; but some continually vary in brightness. Only long observation can reveal their secrets, and much of this patient work is do
11. 11 11. The Moons of Saturn1969-11-04Patrick Moore describes The Moons of Saturn. Why are Saturn's 10 satellites so different from each other? Why does one of them orbit in the opposite direction from the others, and
12. 12 12. The Grand Tour1969-12-02In the late 1970s a spacecraft may be sent on a 'tour' of four of the outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - using the gravity and orbital speed of each to boost it
13. 13 13. A 'Sky at Night' Special 1969 - Year of Space1969-12-24'I believe 1969 may turn out the most famous year in all history.' So says Patrick Moore who, this afternoon, surveys the space highlights and astronomical achievements of 1969. H