The Transit of Venus, when Venus passes directly between Earth and the Sun, creating a (very) partial eclipse, was first observed in 1639. The astral phenomenon occurs in pairs, with eight years between them, every 101-121 years, and lasts for no more than a few hours; this year's transit, on June 6, will be the last until December 2117. In the new illustrated volume The Transit of Venus: 1631 to the Present, veteran Sydney astronomer Nick Lomb looks at the history, science, and significance of the the phenomenon. The Experiment shared these images with the Tip Sheet in advance of the book's April 3 pub date.
