Transit of Venus Across the Solar Disk
Observed at dawn from the US Naval Observatory
Washington DC, June 8, 2004

	Jeff Cook with the Astro-Physics Traveler 4" refractor & Baader solar filter
Waiting for dawn
Approaching Last Quarter Moon at dawn	Venus transits the sun
With Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory	With Congressman John Culberson (Texas) & USNO Director Ken Johnston
This 5" Alvan Clark equatorial refractor is one of the original telescopes commissioned by the USNO for the 1874 Venus transit expeditions at a cost of $1200 each. It was used again for the expeditions in 1882 (the most recent transit). Restored and mounted temporarily for this event on the roof of Building 1, it's being operated here by Ted Rafferty.
	The 1874 Clark 5" refractor, photographed through the 2004 Astro-Physics 4" refractor. At prime focus, the 4" Traveler is operating as a 600mm lens.
	George Kaplan and "Skippy", both of the USNO
Dome of the 12" Alvan Clark refractor, on the roof of Building 1	The new Time Ball, constructed for the USNO Millenium celebration
You can observe with the 12" Clark on the Monday night tours
	Washington's National Cathedral, seen from the 12" dome
Transit observing from the helicopter pad	Time Service building, home of the Master Clock with Rosslyn, Virginia in the distance
	Transit nearly complete, with haze forming
Next Venus transit is in 2012. Tahiti's calling...

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Photos by Jeff Cook

USNO Venus Transit Page
Cook Studios - Astronomy