Department of Health
2004 Transit of Venus ~ Background Information

The Transit of Venus is an important astronomical event during which the planet Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun. This is similar to a solar eclipse but since Venus is more distant than the Moon, Venus will appear as a small black dot moving across the surface of the Sun, obscuring only 1/33rd of its surface.

The Transit will occur over South Australia at 2:38pm on Tuesday 8th June 2004 and although the entire event lasts approximately 6 hours, it will be interrupted by sunset at approximately 5:12pm. Transits are rare, occurring in successive intervals of 8, 105.5, 8 and 121.5 years. The last Transit of Venus was in 1882 and the next is due on the 6th of June 2012, but then not again until the year 2117!

The best Australian location to view the 2004 Transit is in Western Australia since sunset is later there, but the entire event will be visible from Europe, Western Asia and most of Africa. In South Australia, a clear view of the northwest sky and west-northwest horizon will be required – experts recommend the York and Eyre Peninsula Coasts.

The Transit of Venus is of historical significance as its timing was used by scientists to measure the distance between the Earth and the Sun and thereby establish the scale of the Solar System. Also, Captain Cook’s voyage to observe the 1769 Transit later resulted in European colonisation of Australia.

Eye Safety

Don’t ever look directly at the sun.