1761 Transit

The 1761 Transit refers to a solar transit event observed on June 6-7, 1761, when Venus moved across the Sun’s face. Such transits are rare and valuable for astronomers because they help calculate the distance between Earth and the Sun (the astronomical unit). During this event, astronomers around the world recorded the timing of Venus's crossing to improve measurement accuracy. The 1761 transit was significant historically, involving notable observations from figures like Jérôme Lalande and Captain James Cook, enhancing our understanding of planetary positions and scale of our solar system.