Rare Transit of Venus Draws Crowds to Royal Observatory

The video discusses the transit of Venus, a rare astronomical event where Venus passes between Earth and the Sun. It highlights the historical significance of the event in measuring the Earth-Sun distance and its modern scientific implications for studying solar changes and detecting exoplanets. The video also covers public engagement at observatories during the event.

When was the last time before the current event that Venus transited between the Earth and the Sun?

• 1761

• 1882

• 1961

• 2004

What was one of the key scientific achievements of observing the transit of Venus in the 18th century?

• Discovering new planets

• Determining the size of Venus

• Calculating the distance between Earth and the Sun

• Measuring the speed of light

What do scientists hope to learn from observing the transit of Venus today?

• The color of Venus

• The speed of Venus

• The exact size of Venus

• Changes in the Sun's appearance

What is the current method of detecting exoplanets?

• By analyzing their color

• By measuring their temperature

• By observing their transit across the Sun

• Through their gravitational effect on their star

What did the observatory staff provide to the public during the transit event?

• Guided tours

• Free entry tickets

• Astronomy books

• Modified telescopes