A transit of Venus occurs when Venus is visible as it moves across the face of the Sun. Transits of Venus generally occur in pairs at intervals of 8 and then more than 120 years. Amazingly, the 2012 June transit of Venus will be only the 8th transit of Venus ever possibly witnessed by humans, with the last transit occurring on 8 June 2004 and the next transit not occurring for another 105 years.
This transit will occur in Sydney at 8.16am (1st contact) and end at 2.44pm (last contact) on Wednesday June 6 2012. The transit of Venus can only be viewed safely using Eclipse cruise. Shades which will be provided to all passengers on Captain Cook Cruises’ MV Sydney 2000.
Desmond Barrett, Curator at Sydney Powerhouse Museum will also be a special guest onboard MV Sydney 2000 and will guide passengers through the transit. Dr Barrett studied science and the history and philosophy of science at university and since 1983 he has worked as a curator in science and technology at the Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Observatory. He has a special interest in the history of astronomy and is fascinated by the scientific and cultural aspects of the Transit of Venus.
Passengers will enjoy a hot and cold buffet breakfast including seasonal fresh fruit, a selection of cereals, yoghurt, bacon, scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, chipolatas, croissants, rolls, fruit juice, tea and coffee.
The transit of Venus Breakfast Cruise departs from No.1 King Street Wharf Darling Harbour on Wednesday June, 6 2012 at 7.30am and returns at 9.30am