Celebrating 150 years of international science collaboration

Wednesday 30 October 2024

The university is involved in events at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Transit of Venus observations.

Locals helping expedition members set up water casks for the photographic house at Port Hutt, Chatham Islands. Source: Library Company of Philadelphia.

Last updated: Wednesday 30 October 2024

On Friday 1 November and Saturday 2 November 2024, the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, in collaboration with Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and the Wellington Astronomical Society, will host a series of events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Transit of Venus observations, a significant milestone in global scientific collaboration.

The festivities will kick off with a symposium on Friday 1 November at the Pukeahu Education Centre on Tory Street in Wellington. This event will delve into the history and significance of the 1874 Transit of Venus observations and Wellington's role in international scientific efforts. The symposium is organised by Distinguished Professor David Johnston from Massey’s Joint Centre for Disaster Research.

"This symposium is a unique opportunity to explore the legacy of international scientific collaboration that began 150 years ago. The Transit of Venus was not only a scientific milestone but also a unifying event that brought together scientists from various nations to observe and document a rare astronomical phenomenon,” Professor Johnston says.

On Saturday, 2 November, the park will open its doors for a public event from 12pm to 3pm, offering a range of engaging activities. Visitors can take guided tours of the park, sun gaze using specialised solar telescopes and attend a talk on place-based astronomical history. A photographic exhibition showcasing the 1874 and 1882 Transit of Venus observations will also be on display.

These events celebrate not only a pivotal moment in astronomical history, but also highlight Wellington's enduring connection to global science. In 1874, numerous countries dispatched expeditions worldwide to observe the transit, marking one of the first instances of international scientific collaboration. The partnerships forged during these expeditions have had lasting impacts on the scientific community.

For more information about the events, visit Wellington Heritage Festival.

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