OBJECTIVE – To measure the distance between Earth and sun – 1 A.U.

VENUS TRANSIT – On June 8, 2004, Venus the goddess of love as per Greek mythology will pass in front of the Sun as seen from the Earth (just like a solar eclipse). This very rare event (no living person has ever seen one!) lasts about 6 hours and will be visible from most of Europe, Africa and Asia.

SIGNIFICANCE – A Venus Transit observed with sufficient accuracy from the Earth allows the determination of the distance between the Earth and the Sun. This measure is crucial for astronomers to know because all other distance determinations in the universe ultimately depend on this value. Today astronomers use other, more precise methods for the determination of this "Astronomical Unit - AU", so the present one is above all of historical and didactic interest.

ABOUT THE PROJECT – Only this time, it won’t be just professional astronomers who will be making the measurement. We are involving students around the country to make this measurement. To achieve the final result, three separate observations are necessary. These will involve coordinated and cooperative observation. That is the reason why this project is also termed as an EXPERIMENT IN CO-OPERATION - the emphasis being on the word co-operation. It is a first rare opportunity in Science Education in India. Students from all over the country will be participating in this project. The project will be in 3 phases spread over a span of 5 months starting from 1^st Feb and culminating on June 8^th.

Phase 1,  participants from different schools through out the country will measure the radius of the earth during the day using a gnomon on Feb 27^th /28^th  &  29^th.

Venue – School or home

Phase II, participants will make a simple measurement of the position of Venus in the sky over 45 days (Feb 20^th to April 15^th) to determine the maximum angular separation between the Sun and Venus.

Venue - School or home

Phase III, Selected Participants using telescopes will determine the path that Venus takes across the solar disc on June 8^th.

Venue – Taalvraksh, Sariska, 250 Kms from Delhi.