The Transit of Venus: How a Rare Astronomical Alignment Changed the World

Going beyond the science of astronomy, this study looks at the history of Venus' rare passings across the face of the sun which have affected the exploration, colonization, and science of our planet for thousands of years. In response to Venus' 2004 transit, the first in 121 years, the scientists and historians in this study look at the extraordinary impact these astronomical events have had on our culture throughout history, and look ahead to the next transit in 2012.