transit of Venus: 1882

2004, June 8 - The first transit of Venus since 1882 occurred; the next one will occur in 2012

A clock similar to this one was used by Captain G. Mackinley to observe the 1882 transit of Venus, at the British station at Up Park Camp, Jamaica.

Daily Gleaner, December 1, 1882

THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

On the 6th of December instant, this interestirg phenomenon will take place

The first external contact at ingress will take place at about 9 o'clock in the

morning, and the last external contact at egress will take place at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, so that the passage of the planet across the sun's disk will occupy about 6 hours. The observatory at Up Park Camp has been entrusted to

Dr.Copeland and Capt Mackinlay, the two official astronomers who arrived here

by the Packet on the 5th November; and we learn that two private astronomers

who have lately arrived from England with their instruments, will also watch the transit in Kingston; Mr. Maxwell Hall, who is named in connection with the official astronomers, will also watch the transit at his observatory at Kempshot, Montego Bay. At Cottage Grove, the residence of Mr, Feurtado, telescope stands have been erected, and every effort will be made to watch the transit. On the 11th inst,, Dr. Copeland will give a lecture on the transit at the Town Hall. This is the first occasion the transit of Venus will be observed in the island, and we are glad to see that Jamaica will be represented in the matter.

The next transit of Venus occurs in the year 2004 visible in the Eastern Hemisphere, and in the year, 2012, visible in the Western Hemisphere, equal to about four generations hence.

Daily Gleaner, November 6, 1882

Daily Gleaner, December 6, 1882

To-day the transit of Venus will occur and the phenomenon will be watched with

great interest by astronomers in all parts of the world,

Daily Gleaner, December 7, 1882

THE TRANSIT OP VENUS;

This phenomenon, previously referred to occurred yesterday, and was witnessed by observers throughout every part of the civilized world, During the morning the pianet Venus was plainly seen on tbe sun's disc, appearing to the ordinary observer as a spot on the left lower corner of the sun's surface. We trust that those gentlemen who have made astronomical objects a study will oblige us by giving us as full a report as possible on their observations.

A transit of Venus is so rare that, up to June 8, 2004, no human then alive had witnessed this celestial event.

There does not seem to have been any mention in the Gleaner in June 2004 of the transit of Venus which took place on June 8; perhaps there will be more interest in 2012.