Show Early Star StarGazers Tho first observation of the transit of ot Venus by American astronomers astronomers was made years ago from a temporary temporary tem tern observatory fitted up in the This state house yard ard In Philadelphia successful observation which practically practically cally marked the tile beginning of scientific astronomy In the new world was was- In charge of the tho American Philosophical Ical leal society an organization bf of the foremost scientists and savants of the America of that period The society l was founded by Benjamin Franklin In to 17 1743 and was the parent prent body of hundreds hundreds hundreds hun hun- of scientific associations in the United States and Canada The transIt trans trans- transIt It It of r Venus over the suns sun's disk has Interested astronomers ever since it was first observed by Horrocks in I England in 1639 Observation on the passage of at Venus over the suns sun's disk I is ts the best method of ascertaining I the distance of the great Ireat luminary and In recent years American astronomers astron astron- I omers orners havo have engaged in elaborate observations ob oh ob-I ob notably of tho transit of ol Venus In 1882 when the American J 1 L. photographic methods were wera used with great success The only Imp Important phenomenon of this character in 1914 1 will be the transit of ol Mercury on November November No No- November vember 7 next which will bo be partly visible In the eastern portions ni of the United States and Canada |