Today there was a historical event.  Stargazers from across the globe gathered together to watch one of the rarest astronomical spectacles. Our neighbour planet Venus has passed in front of sun for second time this decade but last time until 2117. The transit of Venus happens in pairs eight years apart – but then with more than a century between cycles.  In the past, famous astronomers, explorers and rulers were hunting for such moments.

Scientists believe the passage will help the detection of exoplanets using the so called transit method, helping to establish a baseline for measuring new star systems.

Absolutely spectacular pictures from places taken all over the world have been published in this once in a liftetime show, for people lucky enough not to be disturbed by cloudy skies.