<B>How did you come to form part of the national committee for the transit of Venus? </B>

I have lived in England for 38 years and came back only recently. While doing some personal research, Amédée Nagapen, another history fanatic like me, asked me to help him out with one of his books. It?s through him and the publication of his book concerning the history of Mauritius and Rodrigues related to the other transits of Venus that I became involved in the one happening this year.

<B>What is the importance of the transit of Venus? </B>

This event is very rare and has many ramifications in domains varying from the scientific to the historical. The last time it happened was in 1882. After the coming transit, Venus will make a loop to pass to the North of the sun on 6th June 2012, but this second part of the cycle will not be completely visible in the Mascarene Islands. The next transit will be in 2117. For the coming one, ten scientists from the NASA will be present and will be able to compare and complete other scientific observations made during the transits of 1761 and 1874. The grandson of Lord Lindsay, who used to manage one of the four observatory posts under the British rule will also be here. Tourists from all across the globe will be coming to Mauritius and Rodrigues.

<B>What sort of response have you received to the activities organised to raise awareness in Mauritians? </B>

It was remarkable to see that, as soon as you explained the event to children, since our aim was mainly to make the youth of Mauritius aware of the beauty of our sky, how they showed a great interest in the subject. When young children from a school in Crève- Coeur came to see the exhibition, the wonder in their eyes made all our efforts worthwhile!

<B>Are there specific places where people can go to see the transit of Venus on the 8th of June?</B>

Because we depend greatly on the climatic conditions, we cannot know until the day before or maybe 48 hours before where the best site to see the event will be. Since we are in winter, it will most probably be in the North or the West, but everything will depend on the weather.