1874 Transit of Venus

A cosmic event occurring twice in the 19th century before disappearing for 122 years.

In 1874, the world’s scientists and photographers were united by a rare cosmic event: the Transit of Venus. As Venus passed between the Earth and the Sun, astronomers seized the moment to calculate the Earth-Sun distance. This was one of the first transits ever photographed, with Pierre Jules Janssen playing a critical role. Using his "photographic revolver," he captured a series of images showing Venus as a small, dark silhouette crossing the bright face of the Sun. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity wouldn’t occur again until 1882, when photographers would once more document the transit. After that, it wouldn’t be seen again until 2004. Janssen’s groundbreaking work, along with daguerreotypes and cyanotypes, transformed astronomical observation, allowing for precise measurements of this cosmic alignment.

The transits of 1874 and 1882 not only advanced science but also showcased photography’s power to bridge art and discovery. Janssen’s images, taken from Japan, offered a visual record of planetary motion. These photos weren’t just scientific data; they provided a unique glimpse of the cosmos, blending artistry with astronomical precision, and affirming photography’s role in future scientific exploration.

Credit: Pierre Jules César Janssen (1824-1907), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Author: Pierre Jules César Janssen
Title: 1874 transit of Venus
Date: 9 December 1874 01:49-6:26 UTC
Archive: Pierre Jules César Janssen (1824-1907), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Source: https://archive.org/details/lecielnotionsl00guil/page/946/mode/1up?ref=ol&view=theater
Original file: 1,302 × 1,302 pixels, file size: 953 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg
Available information: The 1874 transit of Venus seen from Japan, by Pierre (Jules) Janssen, as printed on page 946 of the 5th edition of 'Le Ciel' by by Amedee Guillemin, Paris, 1877.