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English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and William Crabtree make the first recorded observations of a transit of Venus by

English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and William Crabtree make the first recorded observations of a transit of Venus by accurately predicting its path using Johannes Kepler's methods [1]

The first known observations and recording of a transit of Venus were made in 1639 by the English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and his friend and correspondent William Crabtree. The pair made their observations independently on 4 December that year (24 November under the Julian calendar then used in England); Horrocks from Carr House, then in the village of Much Hoole, Lancashire, and Crabtree from his home in Broughton, near Manchester.

The friends, followers of the new astronomy of Johannes Kepler, were self-taught mathematical astronomers who had worked methodically to correct and improve Kepler's Rudolphine tables by observation and measurement.

Historical Significance

The first known observations and recording of a transit of Venus were made in 1639 by the English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and his friend and correspondent William Crabtree.

Key People

Johannes Kepler

astronomer and mathematician

German astronomer and mathematician

Events Before

  1. Dutch countess Louise of Solms marries earl John of Brederode

    Dutch countess Louise of Solms marries earl John of Brederode

  2. Dutch Premier Van Joost speaks of "Hostage Rights of Aemstel"

    Dutch Premier Van Joost speaks of "Hostage Rights of Aemstel"

  3. Petition in Recife Brazil leads to closing of their 2 synagogues

    Petition in Recife Brazil leads to closing of their 2 synagogues

  4. Scottish Presbyterians sign the National Covenant at Greyfriars, Edinburgh

    The National Covenant (Scottish Gaelic: An Cùmhnant Nàiseanta) was an agreement signed by many people of Scotland during 1638, opposing the proposed Laudian reforms of the Church of Scotland (also...

  5. Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimar occupies Rheinfelden

    Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimar occupies Rheinfelden

Events After

  1. English Long Parliament forms

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  2. English Short Parliament forms (till May 5)

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  3. English Short Parliament rises

    The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which nominally lasted from 1640 until 1660, making it the longest-lasting Parliament in English and British history.

  4. 2,000 men from the VOC army surround the city of Malacca

    2,000 men from the VOC army surround the city of Malacca

  5. Portugal regains independence after 60 years of Spanish rule following a revolution by Portuguese nobility; the Portugue

    Portugal regains independence after 60 years of Spanish rule following a revolution by Portuguese nobility; the Portuguese Restoration War begins and lasts until 1668 with recognition by Spain of the country's independence

More from the 1630s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 24, 1639?
The first known observations and recording of a transit of Venus were made in 1639 by the English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and his friend and correspondent William Crabtree. The pair made their observations independently on 4 December that year (24 November under the Julian calendar then used in England); Horrocks from Carr House, then in the village of Much Hoole, Lancashire, and Crabtree from his home in Broughton, near Manchester. The friends, followers of the new astronomy of Johannes Kepler, were self-taught mathematical astronomers who had worked methodically to correct and improve Kepler's Rudolphine tables by observation and measurement.
Why is English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and William Crabtree make the first rec... significant?
The first known observations and recording of a transit of Venus were made in 1639 by the English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and his friend and correspondent William Crabtree.
Who was involved in English astronomers Jeremiah Horrocks and William Crabtree make the first rec...?
Key figures include Johannes Kepler (astronomer and mathematician).

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