Back in 2012, Venus crossed exactly in between the Earth and the Sun, creating a unique way to view the planet that comes closer to us than any other. The previous "transit of Venus" had taken place only eight years prior in 2004, but now most of us will never see another.
As originally predicted by Kepler in the 1620s, transits of Venus occur in pairs, eight years apart, with a gap of over 100 years in between each pair. The next transit will occur in 2117, and until then, you'll just have to look at the awesome photos we took in 2012.
Check out one of those here, and much more in this collection of fascinating photos.
1
This image cannot be taken again until 2117: The Transit of Venus across the Sun.
2
In the Iraqi book market, books remain in the street at night because Iraqis say that the reader does not steal and the thief does not read.
3
A safety notice on an AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter.
4
The Ocean Cleanup project completed its first successful trip.
5
Collection of confiscated cannabis, New York City, 1924.
6
Wallpaper from the 1800s.
7
“The beautiful markings a bug left on one of my blueberries.”
8
A large sand storm in Egypt.
9
Several farmers in the Hubei province, China refused to move when a parking lot was being created. This was the result.
10
Rabbits fighting mid-air in Kyushu, Japan.
11
A large, heavy lift drone dressed as an X Wing, used at Disney exhibitions. The drone has a 500 pound carrying capacity.
12
1972 Radio Shack “Buy it all except for the 747."
13
A 1916 social security card, made out of brass.
14
A top-down view of a tree after it has been spilt by lightning.
15
The female Blanket Octopus.
16
Aazhimala Shiva temple.
17
Miners descending in a cable car, South Africa, 1880s.
18
Worker at a disposable vape factory tests up to 10,000 vapes a day.
19
Derinkuyu, an underground city in Türkiye that once had 20,000 people.
20
One in 100 million cotton candy lobster caught in New Hampshire.
