Shades of the goddess: Venus in transit

I review the talks given during IAU Colloquium 196, sometimes in a revised order to suggest certain connexions. The AU now, its definition, value and uncertainty, and its modern determination are contrasted with the situation in 1640. While there are differences, not least in the value of the AU and its error, some things have not changed. As an enduring constant we require: a correct theoretical framework, precise observations, and accurate calculations. The history and context of Horrocks' transit observations are set against the backdrop of our own sightings during the 2004 event, and our journeys to Carr House and other sites in Much Hoole.The apparent success of the subsequent 1769 world-wide effort belied the limitations imposed by the ‘black drop’ effect, now said to have two causes: finite resolution and limb darkening. Some mysteries surrounding Henderson's determination of the parallax of Centauri were dispelled, which led to a discussion of modern astrometry, both from the ground and in space. A passionate plea for continuing ground-based astrometry was followed by results from satellite observatories, in particular discordant values for the parallax of the Pleiades. A graph of parallax determinations since 1769 illustrates the steadily increasing precision reminiscent of a ‘Livingston curve,’ with improvement by an order of magnitude every 50 years. This progression is expected to continue, as the next space missions (Gaia, JASMINE) should better Hipparcos by large factors. Time on the Earth and our very definition of the second are quite naturally related to motion of the planets, and the dynamical history of the solar system.The 19th-century transit efforts were the last gasp in a 250-year endeavour linking Kepler with his Victorian heirs: From the viewpoint of determining solar parallax the Venus transit must have had its day. Discussion of its history, though, can be expected to continue. Finally, I trace the progress in determining the value of the AU over nearly 400 years, and suggest that more rapid advancement could have been facilitated by the introduction of other techniques. The danger of sticking to one strategy for too long is perhaps the best lesson which the Venus transits have to offer.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html