Transits of Venus

Cook wouldn't dwell on these matters; there was a lot more exploring to do. Secret orders from the Navy instructed him to leave the island when the transit was done and "search between Tahiti and New Zealand for a Continent or Land of great extent."

Credit: National Library of Australia. The Endeavour is beached in Australia following a collision with the Great Barrier Reef. An engraving from John Hawkesworth's An Account of the voyages….

For much of the next year Endeavour and her crew scoured the South Pacific, searching for a continent that some 18th century scientists claimed was necessary to balance the great land masses of the northern hemisphere. At one point they were out of sight of land for almost two months. But the terra australis incognita, the unknown "south land," didn't exist, just as Cook suspected. Along the way Cook met the fierce Maori of New Zealand and the Aborigines of Australia, explored thousands of miles of Kiwi and Aussie coastline, and had a near-disastrous collision with the Great Barrier Reef.

Later, during a 10-week stopover in Jakarta for repairs, seven seamen died of malaria. The port city was densely populated by people and diseases. Cook left as quickly as possible, but the damage was done. Ultimately 38 of the Endeavour's original company (and 8 who joined later) perished, including astronomer Charles Green, most from diseases picked up in Jakarta. "The ship's 40% casualty rate wasn't considered extraordinary for the day," writes Horwitz. "In fact, Cook would later be hailed for the exceptional concern he showed for the health of his crew."

On July 11, 1771, Cook returned to England at Deal. The surviving crew of the Endeavour had circumnavigated the globe, catalogued thousands of species of plants, insects and animals, encountered new (to them) races of people, and hunted for giant continents. It was an epic adventure.

In the end, the transit was just a tiny slice of Cook's adventure, out-enchanted by Tahiti and sabotaged by black drops. But because of the voyage Venus and Cook are linked. In fact, it might be said that the best reason to watch a transit of Venus is James Cook.

Indeed, you may already have decided for yourself as to the wonders of a Transit of Venus. On June 8th, 2004, Venus crossed the face of the Sun again. The event was web cast, broadcast, and targeted by innumerable sidewalk telescopes. In other words, you couldn't miss it. Think back in your mind to the inky black disk.... Perhaps the memory of it can carry you back to a different place and time: Tahiti, 1769, when much of Earth was still a mystery and the eye at the telescope belonged to a great explorer.

Can you feel the sand between your toes?