The School of History's Dr Alex Cook will be voyaging to Lord Howe Island aboard the Endeavour Replica to observe the Transit of Venus.

Organised by the Australian National Maritime Museum, the voyage is designed to commemorate Captain James Cook’s first Pacific voyage to observe the Transit of Venus in Tahiti in 1769.

Dr Cook explained the historical significance of the voyage "This event, one of the great scientific projects of the eighteenth century, played a key role in furthering human knowledge of the solar system and in furthering European exploration of the Pacific. It led ultimately to Cook’s mapping of the Eastern Coast of New Holland and the British settlement of Australia." Cook said. 

The voyage involves sailing a precise replica of Cooks’ vessel to Lord Howe Island and observing the passage of Venus across the sun using eighteenth-century equipment and techniques.

Throughout the voyage, Dr Cook will be giving a series of lectures to voyage participants, to the public and to school groups on Lord Howe Island about the history of the original voyage and its legacy.  He will also be undertaking media work in relation to the project and contributing historical reflection to the voyage blog. 

The Transit of Venus takes place on June 6 and only occurs every 100 years.

Follow Cook through the ship's blog as he take to the seas 30 May to 6 June 2012.