STEVEN DICK
NASA HEADQUARTERS 

"TRANSITS OF VENUS"

On June 8, 2004 Venus will transit the Sun for the first time since 1882.   At that time, as in 1874, the United States and many countries mounted numerous expeditions around the world to observe this rare phenomenon and to determine the astronomical unit.  These expeditions are of historical interest for the international disagreements over techniques and instruments, for their place in the determination of the fundamental astronomical constants, and as part of the great scientific voyages of the 19^th century.  This colorful history will be related, as well as expectations for the current event, which is the solar system analogue to the current search for extrasolar planetary transits.

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