Captain James Cook was the first to sight and map the eastern coastline of Australia when he was sent to observe the transit of Venus across the sun from the vantage point of Tahiti. The transit of Venus occurs when the planet Venus passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, and its unlit side can be seen as a small black circle moving across the face of the Sun. Transits of Venus occur in pairs, eight years apart, approximately once every 120 years. Cook's ship, the 'Endeavour', departed England, on 25 August 1768. Cook reached Tahiti in time for his crew and scientists to set up their instrumentation necessary to observe and report on the transit, which occurred on 3 June 1769.
James Cook's original mission was to observe the transit of Venus from the vantage point of Tahiti.
James Cook travelled to Tahiti on a scientific mission to observe the transit of Venus as the islands offered the best vantage point.
James Cook was hired by the Royal Geographic Society to make scientific observations of the transit of Venus. Tahiti was the best vantage point for these observations.
James Cook was sent to observe the transit of Venus in 1769. Apart from observing and recording this phenomenon, Cook's exploration was strictly earthbound.
The transit of Venus
James Cook's original mission was to observe the transit of Venus from the vantage point of Tahiti.
James Cook travelled to Tahiti on a scientific mission to observe the transit of Venus as the islands offered the best vantage point.
James Cook was hired by the Royal Geographic Society to make scientific observations of the transit of Venus. Tahiti was the best vantage point for these observations.
James Cook was sent to observe the transit of Venus in 1769. Apart from observing and recording this phenomenon, Cook's exploration was strictly earthbound.
James Cook was hired by the Royal Society to travel to the Pacific Ocean to observe and record the transit of Venus across the Sun.
James Cook did not make a trip to Venus. Space travel had not yet been accomplished in the 18th century. The Royal Geographic Society sponsored and financed Cook's first expedition to observe the transit of Venus in 1769. It was a scientific expedition.
1. James Cook was not looking for Venus. He was sent to observe the transit of Venus, which was a different event, and best visible from Tahiti. 2. Cook then did sight New Zealand, reaching the islands in October 1769.
James Cook did not actually watch an eclipse of the sun. He was sent to observe the transit of Venus across the sun from the vantage point of Tahiti. The transit of Venus occurs when the planet Venus passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, and its unlit side can be seen as a small black circle moving across the face of the Sun. Transits of Venus occur in pairs, eight years apart, approximately once every 120 years. Cook's ship, the 'Endeavour', departed England, on 25 August 1768. Cook reached Tahiti in time for his crew and scientists to set up their instrumentation necessary to observe and report on the transit, which occurred on 3 June 1769.
The transit of Venus
Captain Cook observed the transit of Venus on June 3, 1769. He and his crew embarked on the HMS Endeavour to observe the rare celestial event from the island of Tahiti in the South Pacific. This observation was part of a scientific expedition organized by the Royal Society in England.
Captain James Cook was sent to observe the transit of Venus across the sun from the vantage point of Tahiti. The transit of Venus occurs when the planet Venus passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, and its unlit side can be seen as a small black circle moving across the face of the Sun. Cook's ship, the 'Endeavour', departed England, on 25 August 1768 and reached Tahiti in time for his crew and scientists to set up their instrumentation necessary to observe and report on the transit, which occurred on 3 June 1769.
Yes: James Cook successfully made the scientific observations required during the transit of Venus, and reported back to the Royal Geographic Society upon his return to England.