tech
February 23, 2026
In Search of Venus: About Andrea Wulf's Book 'Chasing Venus' Describing the First International Scientific Project
In the 18th century, people knew that the Earth revolved around the Sun, but they didn't know how far away it was.
TL;DR
- Edmond Halley proposed using Venus's transit across the Sun to determine the Earth's distance from the Sun.
- Hundreds of astronomers from various countries participated in expeditions to observe the transits in 1761 and 1769.
- The project involved immense logistical challenges, including long-distance travel by ship and horse, communication delays, and hazardous conditions.
- Participants faced dangers such as wars, piracy, disease, and environmental obstacles like extreme weather and difficult terrain.
- Despite setbacks and the need for a repeat observation in 1769, the combined data from multiple locations provided a nearly accurate calculation of the Earth-Sun distance.
- The 'Chasing Venus' project is considered the first major international scientific collaboration, fostering scientific exchange and laying the groundwork for future global scientific endeavors.
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