He predicted the
circumstances of the phenomenon with an astonishing degree of
accuracy, considering his means of information, and it is
unquestionably to the exertions of Halley in urging the importance of
the matter upon astronomers that we owe the unexampled degree of
interest taken in the event, and the energy which scientific men
exhibited in observing it. The illustrious astronomer had no hope of
being himself a witness of the event, for it could not happen till
many years after his death. This did not, however, diminish his
anxiety to impress upon those who would then be alive, the importance
of the occurrence, nor did it lead him to neglect anything which
might contribute to the success of the observations. As we now know,
Halley rather over-estimated the value of the transit of Venus, as a
means of determining the solar distance. The fact is that the
circumstances are such that the observation of the time of contact
between the edge of the planet and the edge of the sun cannot be made
with the accuracy which he had expected.
In 1691, Halley became a candidate for the Savilian Professorship of
Astronomy at Oxford. He was not, however, successful, for his
candidature was opposed by Flamsteed, the Astronomer Royal of the
time, and another was appointed.
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