The day the world discovered the sun [electronic resource] : an extraordinary story of scientific adventure and the race to track the transit of Venus / Mark Anderson.

The day the world discovered the sun [electronic resource] : an extraordinary story of scientific adventure and the race to track the transit of Venus / Mark Anderson.

First Da Capo Press edition.

9780306821066 (electronic bk.)
9780306820380

Boston : Da Capo Press, 2012.

English

1 online resource (vii, 280 pages, 4 unnumbered pages of plates) : illustrations, map

QB205.A2 A53 2012eb

On June 3, 1769, the planet Venus briefly passed across the face of the sun in a cosmic alignment that occurs twice per century. Anticipation of the rare celestial event sparked a worldwide competition among aspiring global superpowers, each sending their own scientific expeditions to far-flung destinations to time the planet's trek. Anderson reveals the stories of three Venus Transit voyages-- to the heart of the Arctic, the New World, and the Pacific-- that risked every mortal peril of a candlelit age.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Access limited to authorized users.

Description based on print version record.

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