First sight
Venus has transited the Sun many times, but we have no records to show if our ancient ancestors noticed a small black dot crossing the Sun's face. It wasn't until the invention of the telescope in the 1600s that people could get a closer look.
The first recorded observations were made in 1639. Only two people are known to have watched this event - Jeremiah Horrocks, who died two years later aged just 22, and his friend William Crabtree. Crabtree was so overcome by the sight that he almost forgot to take any measurements.
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| A window celebrating Horrocks at Much Hoole Church in Lancashire - he may have missed the start of the transit because he was helping out at a service. |
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