Short Wave cover image

Short Wave

Venus And The 18th Century Space Race

Jul 19, 2022
The 18th century was a thrilling time for astronomy as expeditions raced to measure Venus during its transit across the sun. Astronomers faced daunting challenges, employing mathematical principles to unlock cosmic mysteries. Concepts like parallax became crucial in determining distances, a revolutionary idea proposed by Edmund Halley. This quest not only advanced our understanding of the solar system but also laid the groundwork for modern astronomical techniques. Fast forward to today, and the Gaia mission is further illuminating cosmic history, showcasing scientists as cosmic archaeologists.
09:44

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode