Scott,
It is all about Surveyors in the old days and Astronomy to determine the observer's position on earth to view the Transit of Venus like Captain James Cook did in 1769 in Tahiti and the use of modern technology doing the same thing these days using spherical Trig and Geometry for GPS. Also to bring these facts to students at schools to attract them to our career prospects. The Transit won't apper for another 11 years.
Nick de Weger Phone & Fax +61 7 3715 6625 Hm Mob 0413 239 717 Relive the Transit of Venus June 6th 2012 on www.transitofvenus.com.au
Thoughts
The transit of Venus won't appear for another 105 years that is in 2117