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

On 8 June 2004, the planet Venus moved across the face of the sun. This historic event - visible from nearly every country on Earth - was the first time in over 120 years it had occurred. On 6 June 2012, Venus will again traverse the sun, providing an extraordinary and moving spectacle to the people of Earth.The Transit of Venusbrings together a collection of engaging essays from some of the world' s most respected scientists and historians that tell of the life-changing impact these types of cosmic events have had on the exploration and colonization of our own planet.