August 16, 2011
Dear all,
The 2012 transit of Venus is now less than 300 days away. Venus just reached superior conjunction and is now definitively on its way to transit the face of the sun next June. Last month we introduced a couple of new projects and activities:
Creating 3D models of transit sites
Even if you’re not in the position to physically mark a historical observing site, you can still substantially contribute to the Mark that site! project. Marking sites can also be done virtually in Google Earth. There’s already a Google Earth file with all the stations listed on our ‘Past transits’ page. What’s still missing are 3D renderings of the observatories. By building 3D models of the observatories in Google Earth, people will have the opportunity to get an idea of the layout of the domes and cabins astronomers lived in for weeks, sometimes months, under difficult circumstances. These models can also offer a means to project the written accounts unto the factual surroundings, explore sightlines and examine the orientation of the buildings with respect to the heavens. If you have plans to model one or more observatories, please contact Steven van Roode: s.vanroode@transitofvenus.nl
Recovery of old transit photographs
July 29, Randall Rosenfeld made a bold appeal to institutions and archives to see whether they have transit or transit-related photographs with intriguing stories lying in obscurity awaiting recovery. Are there any in a collection near you? It might be worth your while to find out, particularly if an institution in your area sponsored an observing team in 1874 or 1882. Please contact Randall if you found any interesting items: r.rosenfeld@transitofvenus.nl
Transit of Venus merchandise
Two weeks ago we opened a webshop where you can buy mugs and shirts. It’s a nice way to let people know of the upcoming transit of Venus. Imagine how wearing a transit of Venus shirt could serve as a conversation starter. If you are planning a public observing session on transit day, you can make your team stand out as members of the organising crew. There are now two basic designs: one with the Transit of Venus Project’s logo, and one based on the golden medallion commemorating the 19th century French expeditions. More designs will be added to the shop soon. www.cafepress.co.uk/transitofvenusproject
Phone app
I would like to thank all of you who already have made a donation to fund the development of our phone app. But we’re still $13,000 short to pay for the development costs. Be bold and make or increase your donation – today! Without your support, we won’t be able to start developing the app that will assist you and thousands of others in observing next year’s transit. The main purpose of the phone app is to help you with measuring the times of contact, and to enable you to submit your timings to our website – all with just two taps on your phone’s touch screen. Once submitted, your timings will be used for a real-time measurement of the sun’s distance. For more information, see the detailed plan on Chuck Bueter’s website: www.transitofvenus.org/education/video-new-media/217-phone-app. Your donations will be made to Astronomers Without Borders, and these contributions may be tax-deductible.
You are also invited to join our group on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/108400462513165. If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to be on our mailing list, just send a message to info@transitofvenus.nl and you’ll be kept in the loop. If you’re thinking about contributing to our website, don’t hesitate to contact us!