There are several books which deals promptly with the Transit of Venus since its first observation in 1639 and till our days. I will recommend several books about the transit. While the topic is covered in short in many astronomy books, reading a book which is dedicated to the phenomena is more satisfying.
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The transit of Venus by Wiliam Sheehan deals with the scientifc importance of the transits.
In this unique and fascinating history of science, acclaimed popular
science writer William Sheehan and award-winning geographer John Westfall take us
back through the centuries to chronicle the intrepid explorations of
scientists and adventurers who studied the transits of Venus in the
quest for scientific understanding. In exquisite prose, the authors
begin their true tale with the first telescopically observable transit
in 1639, when Copernicus's vision of the solar system was just gaining
acceptance. This "Earth-shattering" observation was of monumental
importance, because it helped confirm that the planets, including Earth,
revolved around the Sun, and not the reverse as had heretofore been
believed. Sheehan and Westfall take us on a journey through time vividly
evoking the excitement and adventures of explorers and scientists who
braved the elements, wars, and disease to follow the transits of the
past. Some succumbed to an early grave. Others were victorious in
capturing those precious, fleeting moments when Venus cast its shadow on
the Sun. From the courageous voyage of Captain James Cook through later
breath-taking adventures to the upcoming 2012 transit (the book includes information about the upcoming 2004 transit which is long past for us), this
uniquely invaluable tome will provide a history and a guide for the
future on the unparalleled beauty and meaning of experiencing a transit
of Venus. Complete with maps showing both historical and contemporary
observation points, plus tables of visibility conditions for major
cities, this eloquent story of a timeless phenomenon will enchant
readers of all ages.
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The transit of Venus by Peter Aughton deals with the life of Jeremiah Horrocks which was an early English astronomer, and never really got the fame he is deserves. Horrocks was the first to observe a Venus transit, so viewing the Venus transit 2012, will actually means to continue his way! There is a missing chapter in the history of astronomy--between the work
of Galileo and Newton--and it is a chapter that belongs to England. In
the period before the English Civil War, Horrocks was the greatest
astronomer in the kingdom. He knew the positions and motions of the
planets more accurately than any person of his time, and was the first
to appreciate the true scale of the solar system and formulate a valid
theory for the wanderings of the moon. Yet he was not an elderly
grey-bearded sage, but a young man living in provincial obscurity, who
on his death had barely come of age but who left a great scientific
legacy.
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Peter Adds approach to the subject is slightly different and he discussed the influence of the transit, the fact that the Venus transits in the 18th centuries were simultaneously observed to measure our distance from the sun, and actually revealing once more how large is the universe. 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.
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