Bethel Methodist Cemetery in Lewes in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Transit of Venus Observatory
Photographed By Laura Edwards, July 8, 2023
1. Transit of Venus Observatory Marker
Inscription.
Transit of Venus Observatory. . In 1769, an international scientific effort was organized to observe a transit of Venus in order to determine the size of the solar system. This rare event, when Venus passes in front of the Sun's disk, makes such calculations possible when measured from widely separated sites. The American Philosophical Society sent Owen Biddle and Joel Bailey to Lewes from Philadelphia to establish a temporary astronomical observatory to record the transit on June 3, 1769. Their observations, combined with measurements from other astronomers, placed Lewes in the forefront of 18th century astronomy. The observatory was located near this site.
In 1769, an international scientific effort was organized to observe a transit of Venus in order to determine the size of the solar system. This rare event, when Venus passes in front of the Sun's disk, makes such calculations possible when measured from widely separated sites. The American Philosophical Society sent Owen Biddle and Joel Bailey to Lewes from Philadelphia to establish a temporary astronomical observatory to record the transit on June 3, 1769. Their observations, combined with measurements from other astronomers, placed Lewes in the forefront of 18th century astronomy. The observatory was located near this site.
Erected 2015 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-252.)
Location. 38° 46.168′ N, 75° 8.665′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Bethel Methodist Cemetery. Marker is on Savannah Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Savannah Road, Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lewes (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beebe Hospital
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2023, by Laura Edwards of Bethesda, Maryland. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 38 times this year. Photo1. submitted on July 16, 2023, by Laura Edwards of Bethesda, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
