From the August 2004 issue

Venus transit tours gallery

See the memorable sights of Astronomy magazine's Venus transit tours of Egypt and South Africa in this pictorial recap
By | Published: August 24, 2004 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Transit composite from Egypt
This composite view of the transit was captured from the top of the Sheraton Hotel in Luxor, Egypt.
James Hackett
Transit composite from Egypt
This composite view of the transit was captured from the top of the Sheraton Hotel in Luxor, Egypt.

Image by James Hackett

Observing the transit
The Astronomy tour group setting up on the roof of the Sheraton Luxor Hotel
Rick Rodgers
Observing the transit
The Astronomy tour group sets up on the roof of the Sheraton Luxor Hotel before the transit.

Image by David J. Eicher

Venus transit from Luxor, Egypt
This image was taken with an Olympus digital camera, Scopetronix adaptor, 40mm Maxview eyepiece on a Celestron 80mm wide view and Bader solar filter.
Rick Rodgers
Venus transit from Luxor, Egypt
This image was taken with an Olympus digital camera, Scopetronix adaptor, 40mm Maxview eyepiece on a Celestron 80mm wide view and Bader solar filter.

Image by Rick Rodgers

The Giza Plateau
The Giza Plateau, left to right, Khufu’s Pyramid (completed about 2560 B.C.), Khafre’s Pyramid (completed about 2550 B.C.), and Menkaure’s Pyramid (completed about 2470 B.C.)
David J. Eicher
The Giza Plateau
The Giza Plateau, left to right, Khufu’s Pyramid (completed about 2560 B.C.), Khafre’s Pyramid (completed about 2550 B.C.), and Menkaure’s Pyramid (completed about 2470 B.C.)

Image by David J. Eicher

Medinet Habu
Spectacular colors at Medinet Habu, west bank, Thebes
David J. Eicher
Medinet Habu
Spectacular colors at Medinet Habu, west bank, Thebes

Image by David J. Eicher

Esna Temple
Esna Temple (Temple of Khnum), built during the Third century A.D.
David J. Eicher
Esna Temple
Esna Temple (Temple of Khnum), built during the Third century A.D.

Image by David J. Eicher

Felucca ride
A felucca ride on the Nile, at Aswan, toward Elephantine Island
David J. Eicher
Felucca ride
A felucca ride on the Nile, at Aswan, toward Elephantine Island

Image by David J. Eicher

The Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings, tomb of Tutankhamun, at center
David J. Eicher
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings, tomb of Tutankhamun, at center

Image by David J. Eicher

Transit projection in South Africa
The transit of Venus was viewed directly through filters and also indirectly by projection, as seen here. A solar-filtered 11-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope projected this image through an eyepiece and onto a white disk.
Eilean and Mike Yates
Transit projection in South Africa
The transit of Venus was viewed directly through filters and also indirectly by projection, as seen here. A solar-filtered 11-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope projected this image through an eyepiece and onto a white disk.

Image by Eilean and Mike Yates

Ravineside Lodge
Our accommodations while at the Entabeni Game Reserve were spacious lodges set into a hillside. The name “Ravineside” is not a misspelling. Rather, it indicates the lodges overlook a beautiful, large ravine.
Eilean and Mike Yates
Ravineside Lodge
Our accommodations while at the Entabeni Game Reserve were spacious lodges set into a hillside. The name “Ravineside” is not a misspelling. Rather, it indicates the lodges overlook a beautiful, large ravine.

Image by Eilean and Mike Yates

Open-top vehicle
The open-top Toyota was the perfect vehicle in which to explore the game reserve for wildlife. Along with the game reserve ranger, up to nine members of our group could fit in one of the vehicles.
Eilean and Mike Yates
Open-top vehicle
The open-top Toyota was the perfect vehicle in which to explore the game reserve for wildlife. Along with the game reserve ranger, up to nine members of our group could fit in one of the vehicles.

Image by Eilean and Mike Yates

Lions
One of our most exciting wildlife sightings was of a pride of lions. These great beasts blended in so well with the landscape that it was difficult to see them at first.
Eilean and Mike Yates
Resting lions
One of our most exciting wildlife sightings was of a pride of lions. These great beasts blended in so well with the landscape that it was difficult to see them at first.

Image by Eilean and Mike Yates

Zebras
Although easy to see through a telephoto lens, zebras are well camouflaged and difficult to pick out from the surrounding foliage.
Eilean and Mike Yates
Zebras
Although easy to see through a telephoto lens, zebras are well camouflaged and difficult to pick out from the surrounding foliage.

Image by Eilean and Mike Yates

Eland
By far, the various species of antelope were the most prolific wildlife we observed on our daily safaris. This beautiful example is known as an eland. Although elands weigh several hundred pounds each, they are quite fast with a nervous disposition.
Eilean and Mike Yates
Blesbuck
By far, the various species of antelope were the most prolific wildlife we observed on our daily safaris. This beautiful example is known as a blesbuck. Although blesbucks weigh several hundred pounds each, they are quite fast with a nervous disposition.

Image by Eilean and Mike Yates

Sunset over South Africa
This beautiful sunset was seen on the final day of our Venus transit trip. Throughout our trip, any clouds seen at sunset soon dissipated, giving way to some of the darkest skies on Earth.
Eilean and Mike Yates
Sunset from South Africa
This beautiful sunset was seen on the final day of our Venus transit trip. Throughout our trip, any clouds seen at sunset soon dissipated, giving way to some of the darkest skies on Earth.

Image by Eilean and Mike Yates